Linear lighting apparatus and methods

ABSTRACT

Linear lighting systems and methods. In one example, two or more lighting elements having an essentially linear or curvilinear shape are coupled together to form a lighting system. Each lighting element includes a group of LEDs arranged so as to illuminate the essentially linear or curvilinear shape of the lighting element. Each element may include LEDs to generate the same color light, and/or LEDs to generate light of different colors. Additionally, each element may include one or more controllers to control the LEDs so as to create a variety of temporal and/or color-oriented lighting effects. The controller(s) may employ one or more of a variety of control techniques to control the LEDs, such as those involving analog control signals or pulse-width modulated (PWM) control signals. The lighting elements of the system may each be configured as a “stand alone” unit working within the system, producing respective lighting effects that may or may not be coordinated with each other. Alternatively, two or more elements of the system may be configured as addressable lighting elements to facilitate coordination of the elements as a networked lighting system. Any of the foregoing linear lighting systems may be used in a variety of interior or exterior, as well as direct or indirect, lighting applications. In one example, such lighting systems are particularly well-suited as replacements or substitutes for neon lighting installations.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 as acontinuation (CON) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/213,540, filedDec. 17, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,720,745 entitled “Data DeliveryTrack,” which application in turn claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.§120 as a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/920,156, filed Aug. 26, 1997, entitled “Multicolored LED LightingMethod and Apparatus,” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,038.

This application also claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 of each ofthe following U.S. provisional applications, as at least one of theabove-identified U.S. non-provisional applications similarly is entitledto the benefit of at least one of the following provisionalapplications:

Ser. No. 60/071,281, filed Dec. 17, 1997, entitled “Digitally ControlledLight Emitting Diodes Systems and Methods;”

Ser. No. 60/068,792, filed Dec. 24, 1997, entitled “Multi-ColorIntelligent Lighting;”

Ser. No. 60/078,861, filed Mar. 20, 1998, entitled “Digital LightingSystems;”

Ser. No. 60/079,285, filed Mar. 25, 1998, entitled “System and Methodfor Controlled Illumination;” and

Ser. No. 60/090,920, filed Jun. 26, 1998, entitled “Methods for SoftwareDriven Generation of Multiple Simultaneous High Speed Pulse WidthModulated Signals.”

Each of the foregoing non-provisional and provisional applications ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to linear and curvilinear lightingapparatus and methods involving LED-based light sources, for a varietyof illumination applications.

BACKGROUND

Light emitting diodes are known which, when disposed on a circuit,accept electrical impulses from the circuit and convert the impulsesinto light signals. LEDs are energy efficient, they give off virtuallyno heat, and they have a long lifetime.

A number of types of LED exist, including air gap LEDs, GaAslight-emitting diodes (which may be doubled and packaged as single unitoffer greater reliability than conventional single-diode package),polymer LEDs, and semi-conductor LEDs, among others. Most LEDs incurrent use are red. Conventional uses for LEDs include displays for lowlight environments, such as the flashing light on a modem or othercomputer component, or the digital display of a wristwatch. ImprovedLEDs have recently been used in arrays for longer-lasting trafficlights. LEDs have been used in scoreboards and other displays. Also,LEDs have been placed in arrays and used as television displays.Although most LEDs in use are red, yellow or white, LEDs may take anycolor; moreover, a single LED may be designed to change colors to anycolor in the color spectrum in response to changing electrical signals.

It is well known that combining the projected light of one color withthe projected light of another color will result in the creation of athird color. It is also well known that three commonly used primarycolors—red, blue and green—can be combined in different proportions togenerate almost any color in the visible spectrum. The present inventiontakes advantage of these effects by combining the projected light fromat least two light emitting diodes (LEDS) of different primary colors.It should be understood that for purposes of this invention the term“primary colors” encompasses any different colors that can be combinedto create other colors.

Computer lighting networks that use LEDs are also known. U.S. Pat. No.5,420,482, issued to Phares, describes one such network that usesdifferent colored LEDs to generate a selectable color, primarily for usein a display apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,481, issued to Havel, isdirected to a multicolored display device. Havel uses a pulse widthmodulated signal to provide current to respective LEDs at a particularduty cycle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,114, issued to Brown, shows an LEDdisplay system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,387, issued to Smith et al., isdirected to an LED matrix display.

Illumination systems exist in which a network of individual lights iscontrolled by a central driver, which may be a computer-controlleddriver. Such illumination systems include theatrical lighting systems.The USITT DMX-512 protocol was developed to deliver a stream of datafrom a theatrical console to a series of theatrical lights.

The DMX-512 protocol was originally designed to standardize the controlof light dimmers by lighting consoles. The DMX-512 protocol is amultiplexed digital lighting control protocol with a signal to control512 devices, such device including dimmers, scrollers, non-dim relays,parameters of a moving light, or a graphical light in a computerizedvirtual reality set. DMX-512 is used for control for a network ofdevices. The DMX-512 protocol employs digital signal codes. When atransmitting device, such as a lighting console, sends digital codes, areceiving device, such as a dimmer, transforms these codes into afunction command, such as dimming to a specified level. With digitalsystems, signal integrity is compromised less over long cable runs,relative to analog control. When a coded string of 0/1 digits are sentand received, the device will perform the desired task.

In hardware terms, DMX-512 protocol information is transferred betweendevices over metal wires using the RS-485 hardware protocol. Thisinvolves the use of two wires, known as a twisted pair. The first wireis referred to as a data+wire, and the second wire is referred to as adata-wire. The voltage used on the line is typically positive fivevolts. By way of example, to transmit a logical one, the data+wire istaken to positive five volts, and the data-wire to zero volts. Totransmit a logical zero, the data+wire goes to zero volts, and thedata-wire to positive five volts. This is quite different from the morecommon RS-232 interface, where one wire is always kept at zero volts. InRS-232, a logical one is transmitted by putting between positive six andpositive twelve volts on the line, and a logical zero is transmitted byputting a voltage between negative six and negative twelve volts ontothe line. RS-485 is generally understood to be better for datatransmission than RS-232. With RS-232, the receiver has to measure ifthe incoming voltage is positive or negative. With RS-485, the receiveronly needs to determine which line has the higher voltage on it.

The two wires over which RS-485 is transmitted are preferably twisted.Twisting means that disturbances on the line tend to affect both linessimultaneously, more or less by the same amount, so that the voltage onboth lines will fluctuate, but the difference in voltage between thelines remains the same. The result is that noise is rejected from theline. Also, the drive capability of RS-485 drivers is higher than RS-232drivers. As a result, the RS-485 protocol can connect devices overdistances hundreds of times further than would be possible when usingRS-232. RS-485 also increases the maximum data rate, i.e., the maximumamount of data which can be transmitted over the line every second.Communication between devices using RS-232 is normally about ninethousand six hundred baud (bits per second). Faster communication ispossible, but the distances over which data can be transmitted arereduced significantly if communication is faster. By comparison, DMX-512(using RS-485) permits data to be sent at two hundred fifty thousandbaud (two hundred fifty thousand bits per second) over distances ofhundreds of meters without problems. Every byte transmitted has onestart bit, which is used to warn the receiver that the next character isstarting, eight data bits (this conveys up to two hundred fifty sixdifferent levels) and two stop bits, which are used to tell the receiverthat this is the end of the character. This means that every byte istransmitted as eleven bits, so that the length of each character isforty-four micro seconds.

The receiver looks at the two incoming signals on a pair of pins andcompares the differences. A voltage rise on one wire and the inverse onthe other will be seen as a differential and therefore deciphered as adigit. When both signals are identical, no difference is recognized andno digit deciphered. If interference was accidently transmitted alongthe line, it would impart no response as long as the interference wasidentical on both lines. The proximity of the two lines assist inassuring that distribution of interference is identical on both wires.The signal driver sends five hundred twelve device codes in a continual,repetitive stream of data. The receiving device is addressed with anumber between one and five hundred twelve so it will respond only todata that corresponds to its assigned address.

A terminator resistor is typically installed at the end of a DMX line ofdevices, which reduces the possibility of signal reflection which cancreate errors in the DMX signal. The ohm value of the resistor isdetermined by the cable type used. Some devices allow for selftermination at the end of the line. Multiple lines of DMX data can bedistributed through an opto-repeater. This device creates a physicalbreak in the line by transforming the electrical signals into lightwhich spans a gap, then it is restored to electrical signals. Thisprotects devices from damaging high voltage, accidentally travellingalong the network. It will also repeat the original DMX data to severaloutput lines. The input data is recreated at the outputs, eliminatingdistortion. The signal leaves the opto-repeater as strong as it left theconsole.

DMX messages are typically generated through computer software. Each DMXmessage is preceded with a “break,” which is a signal for the receiverthat the previous message has ended and the next message is about tostart. The length of the break signal (equivalent to a logical zero onthe line) has to be eighty-eight micro seconds according to the DMXspecification. The signal can be more than eighty-eight micro seconds.After the break signal is removed from the line, there is a periodduring which the signal is at a logical one level. This is known as the“Mark” or ‘Mark After Break’ (MAB) time. This time is typically at leasteight micro seconds. After the Mark comes the first character, or byte,which is knows as the “Start” character. This character is ratherloosely specified, and is normally set to the value zero (it can varybetween zero and two hundred fifty five). This start character may beused to specify special messages. It is, for example, possible to havefive hundred twelve dimmers which respond to messages with the startcharacter set to zero, and another five hundred twelve dimmers whichrespond to messages with the start character set to one. If onetransmits data for these one thousand twenty-four dimmers, and one setsthe start character to zero for the first five hundred twelve dimmers,and to one for the second set of five hundred twelve dimmers, it ispossible to control one thousand twenty four dimmers (or more if onewishes, using the same technique). The disadvantage is a reduction inthe number of messages sent to each of the set of dimmers, in thisexample by a factor two. After the start character there are between oneand five hundred twelve characters, which normally correspond to the upto five hundred twelve channels controlled by DMX. Each of thesecharacters may have a value between zero (for ‘off’, zero percent) andtwo hundred fifty five (for full, one hundred percent). After the lastcharacter there may be another delay (at logic one level) before thenext break starts. The number of messages which are transmitted everysecond are dependent on all the parameters listed above. In one case,where the break length is eighty-eight microseconds, the make afterbreak length is eight micro seconds, and each character takes exactlyforty-four micro seconds to transmit there will be forty-four messagesper second, assuming that all five hundred twelve channels are beingtransmitted. Many lighting desks and other DMX sources transmit lessthan five hundred twelve channels, use a longer break and make afterbreak time, and may have a refresh rate of seventy or eighty messagesper second. Often, there is no benefit to be had from this, as thecurrent value is not necessarily recalculated for each of the channelsin each frame. The ‘standard’ DMX signal would allow for a lamp to beswitched on and off twenty-two times per second, which is ample for manyapplications. Certain devices are capable of using sixteen-bit DMX.Normal eight bit messages allow two hundred fifty-six positions, whichis inadequate for the positioning of mirrors and other mechanicaldevices. Having sixteen bits available per channel increases thatquantity up to sixty-five thousand five hundred thirty-six steps, whichremoves the limitation of ‘standard’ DMX.

A significant problem with present lighting networks is that theyrequire special wiring or cabling. In particular, one set of wires isneeded for electrical power, while a second set of wires is needed fordata, such as DMX-512 protocol data. Accordingly, the owner of anexisting set of lights must undertake significant effort to rewire inorder to have a digitally controlled lighting environment.

A second significant problem with present lighting networks is thatparticular lighting applications require particular lighting types. Forexample, LED based lights are appropriate for some applications, whileincandescent lamps or halogen lamps may be more appropriate for otherapplications. A user who wishes to have a digitally controlled networkof lights, in addition to rewiring, must currently add additionalfixtures or replace old fixtures for each different type of light.Accordingly, a need has arisen for a lighting fixture that permits useof different types of digitally controlled lights.

Use of pulse width modulated signals to control electrical devices, suchas motors, is also known. Traditional methods of providing pulse widthmodulated signals include hardware using software programmed timers,which in some instances is not cost effective if not enough timermodules are available, and one interrupt per count processes, in which amicroprocessor receives periodic interrupts at a known rate. Each timethrough the interrupt loop the processor compares the current count withthe target counts and updates one or more output pins, thus creating apulse width modulated signal, or PWM. In this case, the speed equals theclock speed divided by cycles in the interrupt routine divided bydesired resolution. In a third method, in a combination of the first twoprocesses, software loops contain a variable number of instructions. Theprocessor uses the hardware timer to generate a periodic interrupt, andthen, depending on whether the pulse is to be very short or not, eitherschedules another interrupt to finish the PWM cycle, or creates thepulse by itself in the first interrupt routine by executing a series ofinstructions consuming a desired amount of time between two PWM signalupdates. The difficulty with the third method is that for multiple PWMchannels it is very difficult to arrange the timer based signal updatessuch that they do not overlap, and then to accurately change the updatetimes for a new value of PWM signals. Accordingly, a new pulse widthmodulation method and system is needed to assisting in controllingelectrical devices.

Many conventional illumination applications are subject to otherdrawbacks. Conventional light sources, such as halogen and incandescentsources may produce undesirable heat. Such sources may have very limitedlife spans. Conventional light sources may require substantial lens andfiltering systems in order to produce color. It may be very difficult toreproduce precise color conditions with conventional light sources.Conventional light sources may not respond quickly to computer control.One or more of these drawbacks may have particular significance inparticular existing lighting applications. Moreover, the combination ofthese drawbacks may have prevented the development of a number of otherillumination applications. Accordingly, a need exists for illuminationmethods and systems that overcome the drawbacks of conventionalillumination systems and that take advantage of the possibilitiesoffered by overcoming such drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to linear lighting systemsand methods. For example, in one embodiment, two or more lightingelements having an essentially linear or curvilinear shape are coupledtogether to form a lighting system. In one aspect of this embodiment,each lighting element includes a group of LEDs arranged so as toilluminate the essentially linear or curvilinear shape of the lightingelement. In other aspects, each element may include LEDs to generate thesame color light, and/or LEDs to generate light of different colors.Additionally, each element may include one or more controllers tocontrol the LEDs so as to create a variety of temporal and/orcolor-oriented lighting effects. The controller(s) may employ one ormore of a variety of control techniques to control the LEDs, such asthose involving analog control signals or pulse-width modulated (PWM)control signals. The lighting elements of the system may each beconfigured as a “stand alone” unit working within the system, producingrespective lighting effects that may or may not be coordinated with eachother. Alternatively, two or more elements of the system may beconfigured as addressable lighting elements to facilitate coordinationof the elements as a networked lighting system. Any of the foregoinglinear lighting systems may be used in a variety of interior orexterior, as well as direct or indirect, lighting applications. In oneexample, such lighting systems are particularly well-suited asreplacements or substitutes for neon lighting installations.

In particular, one embodiment of the invention is directed to a lightingsystem, comprising at least two lighting elements including a firstlighting element and a second lighting element adapted to be arranged inclose proximity to each other, the first lighting element comprising afirst plurality of LEDs arranged on a first linear platform, and thesecond lighting element comprising a second plurality of LEDs arrangedon a second linear platform. The apparatus also includes a connectionsystem adapted to connect together at least the first lighting elementand the second lighting element so as to form an interconnected lineararray of the at least two lighting elements.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a lighting apparatus,comprising a first plurality of LEDs arranged on at least one linearplatform, and at least one connection element adapted to facilitate aconnection of the lighting apparatus to at least one other lightingapparatus having a substantially linear shape, so as to form aninterconnected linear array of at least two lighting apparatus.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method in alighting system including at least a first linearly-shaped lightingelement and a second linearly-shaped lighting element, the firstlighting element comprising a first plurality of LEDs and the secondlighting element comprising a second plurality of LEDs. The methodcomprises an act of connecting together at least the first lightingelement and the second lighting element so as to form an interconnectedlinear array of lighting elements.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method, comprisingan act of disposing a plurality of LEDs along a substantially linearfeature of an object.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an illuminationmethod, comprising an act of energizing a plurality of LEDs along asubstantially linear feature of an object so as to provide illuminationalong the substantially linear feature of the object.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method, comprisingan act of disposing a plurality of LEDs along a substantially lineararchitectural feature of a space.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an illuminationmethod, comprising an act of energizing a plurality of LEDs along asubstantially linear architectural feature of a space so as to provideillumination along the substantially linear architectural feature of thespace.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method, comprisingan act of mounting a plurality of LEDs on a surface of a building so asto form a substantially linear lighting arrangement on the surface ofthe building.

As used herein, the term “LED system” means any system that is capableof receiving an electrical signal and producing a color of light inresponse to the signal. Thus, the term “LED system” should be understoodto include light emitting diodes of all types, light emitting polymers,semiconductor dies that produce light in response to current, organicLEDs, electro-luminescent strips, and other such systems. In anembodiment, an “LED system” may refer to a single light emitting diodehaving multiple semiconductor dies that are individually controlled.

An LED system is one type of illumination source. As used herein“illumination source” should be understood to include all illuminationsources, including LED systems, as well as incandescent sources,including filament lamps, pyro-luminescent sources, such as flames,candle-luminescent sources, such as gas mantles and carbon archradiation sources, as well as photo-luminescent sources, includinggaseous discharges, flourescent sources, phosphorescence sources,lasers, electro-luminescent sources, such as electro-luminescent lamps,light emitting diodes, and cathode luminescent sources using electronicsatiation, as well as miscellaneous luminescent sources includinggalvano-luminescent sources, crystallo-luminescent sources,kine-luminescent sources, thermo-luminescent sources, triboluminescentsources, sonoluminescent sources, and radioluminescent sources.Illumination sources may also include luminescent polymers capable ofproducing primary colors.

The term “illuminate” should be understood to refer to the production ofa frequency of radiation by an illumination source. The term “color”should be understood to refer to any frequency of radiation within aspectrum; that is, a “color,” as used herein, should be understood toencompass frequencies not only of the visible spectrum, but alsofrequencies in the infrared and ultraviolet areas of the spectrum, andin other areas of the electromagnetic spectrum.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a light module of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a light module of FIG. 1 in data connection with agenerator of control data for the light module.

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic of an embodiment of light module.

FIG. 4 depicts an array of LEDs in an embodiment of a light module.

FIG. 5 depicts a power module in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a circuit design for an embodiment of a light module.

FIG. 7 depicts a circuit design for an array of LEDs in a light modulein an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 depicts an array of LEDs that may be associated with a circuitsuch as that of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 depicts a schematic of the electrical design of an embodiment ofa light module.

FIG. 10 depicts a power module for a light module of the invention.

FIG. 11 depicts another view of the power module of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 depicts a circuit for a power supply for a light module of theinvention.

FIG. 13 depicts a circuit for a power/data multiplexor.

FIG. 14 depicts a circuit for another embodiment of a power/datamultiplexor.

FIG. 15 depicts flow charts depicting steps in a modified pulse widthmodulation software routine.

FIG. 16 depicts a data delivery track lighting system.

FIG. 17 depicts a circuit design for a data driver for the track systemof FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 depicts a circuit design for a terminator for a track system ofFIG. 16.

FIG. 19 depicts an embodiment of a light module in which a cylindricalhousing houses the light module.

FIG. 20 depicts a modular light module.

FIG. 21 depicts a modular light module constructed to fit a halogensocket.

FIG. 22 depicts a circuit design for an embodiment of a light module.

FIG. 23 depicts a modular housing for a light module.

FIG. 24 is a schematic illustration of a modular LED unit in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 illustrates a light module in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 26 illustrates a light module in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 27 illustrates a light module in accordance with a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 28A-C illustrate a plurality of LEDs arranged within the variousconfigurations for use with the modular LED unit of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 29-68 illustrate the various environments within which the modularLED unit of the present invention may illuminate.

FIG. 69 depicts a smart light bulb embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 70 depicts the embodiment of FIG. 69 in data connection withanother device.

FIG. 71 depicts the embodiment of FIG. 69 in connection with other smartlight bulbs.

FIG. 72 depicts a network of smart light bulbs in data connection witheach other.

FIG. 73 depicts a light buffer sensor/feedback application using a smartlight bulb.

FIG. 74 depicts an EKG sensor/feedback environment using a smart lightbulb.

FIG. 75 depicts a schematic diagram of a sensor/feedback application.

FIG. 76 depicts a general block diagram relevant to a color thermometer.

FIG. 77 depicts a color speedometer.

FIG. 78 depicts a color inclinometer.

FIG. 79 depicts a color magnometer.

FIG. 80 depicts a smoke alert system.

FIG. 81 depicts a color pH meter.

FIG. 82 depicts a security system to indicate the presence of an object.

FIG. 83 depicts an electromagnetic radiation detector.

FIG. 84 depicts a color telephone indicator.

FIG. 85 depicts a lighting system using a light module of the presentinvention in association with an entertainment device.

FIG. 86 depicts a schematic of the system of FIG. 85.

FIG. 87 depicts a schematic of an encoder for the system of FIG. 85.

FIG. 88 depicts a schematic of an encoding method using the encoder ofFIG. 87.

FIG. 89 depicts a schematic of a decoder of the system of FIG. 85.

FIG. 90A depicts an embodiment of a system for precision illumination.

FIG. 90B depicts a block diagram of a control module for the precisionillumination system of FIG. 90A.

FIG. 91 depicts an embodiment comprising a precision illumination systemheld in an operator's hand.

FIG. 92A depicts fruit-bearing plants illuminated by an array of LEDsystems.

FIG. 92B depicts fruit-bearing plants illuminated by natural light.

FIG. 93A is a generally schematic view illustrating the anatomy of theporta hepatis as illuminated by an embodiment of an LED system affixedto a medical instrument.

FIG. 93B depicts an embodiment of an LED system affixed to a medicalinstrument.

FIG. 93C depicts an embodiment of an LED system affixed to an endoscope.

FIG. 93D depicts an embodiment of an LED system affixed to a surgicalheadlamp.

FIG. 93E depicts an embodiment of an LED system affixed to surgicalloupes.

FIG. 94 depicts a method for treating a medical condition byilluminating with an embodiment of an LED system.

FIG. 95 depicts changing the perceived color of colored objects bychanging the color of the light projected thereon.

FIG. 96 depicts creating an illusion of motion in a colored design bychanging the color of the light projected thereon.

FIG. 97 depicts a vending machine in which an illusion of motion in acolored design is created by changing the color of the light projectedthereon.

FIG. 98 depicts a vending machine in which objects appear and disappearin a colored design by changing the color of the light projectedthereon.

FIG. 99 depicts a system for illuminating a container.

FIG. 100 depicts an article of clothing lit by an LED system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The structure and operation of various methods and systems that areembodiments of the invention will now be described. It should beunderstood that many other ways of practicing the invention herein areavailable, and the embodiments described herein are exemplary and notlimiting.

Referring to FIG. 1, a light module 100 is depicted in block diagramformat. The light module 100 includes two components, a processor 16 andan LED system 120, which is depicted in FIG. 1 as an array of lightemitting diodes. The term “processor” is used herein to refer to anymethod or system for processing in response to a signal or data andshould be understood to encompass microprocessors, integrated circuits,computer software, computer hardware, electrical circuits, applicationspecific integrated circuits, personal computers, chips, and otherdevices capable of providing processing functions. The LED system 120 iscontrolled by the processor 16 to produce controlled illumination. Inparticular, the processor 16 controls the intensity of different colorindividual LEDs, semiconductor dies, or the like of the LED system 120to produce illumination in any color in the spectrum. Instantaneouschanges in color, strobing and other effects, more particularlydescribed below, can be produced with light modules such as the lightmodule 100 depicted in FIG. 1. The light module 100 may be made capableof receiving power and data. The light module 100, through the processor16, may be made to provide the various functions ascribed to the variousembodiments of the invention disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 2, the light module 100 may be constructed to be usedeither alone or as part of a set of such light modules 100. Anindividual light module 100 or a set of light modules 100 can beprovided with a data connection 500 to one or more external devices, or,in certain embodiments of the invention, with other light modules 100.As used herein, the term “data connection” should be understood toencompass any system for delivering data, such as a network, a data bus,a wire, a transmitter and receiver, a circuit, a video tape, a compactdisc, a DVD disc, a video tape, an audio tape, a computer tape, a card,or the like. A data connection may thus include any system of method todeliver data by radio frequency, ultrasonic, auditory, infrared,optical, microwave, laser, electromagnetic, or other transmission orconnection method or system. That is, any use of the electromagneticspectrum or other energy transmission mechanism could provide a dataconnection as disclosed herein. In embodiments of the invention, thelight module 100 may be equipped with a transmitter, receiver, or bothto facilitate communication, and the processor 16 may be programmed tocontrol the communication capabilities in a conventional manner. Thelight modules 100 may receive data over the data connection 500 from atransmitter 502, which may be a conventional transmitter of acommunications signal, or may be part of a circuit or network connectedto the light module 100. That is, the transmitter 502 should beunderstood to encompass any device or method for transmitting data tothe light module 100. The transmitter 502 may be linked to or be part ofa control device 504 that generates control data for controlling thelight modules 100. In an embodiment of the invention, the control device504 is a computer, such as a laptop computer. The control data may be inany form suitable for controlling the processor 16 to control the LEDsystem 120. In embodiment of the invention, the control data isformatted according to the DMX-512 protocol, and conventional softwarefor generating DMX-512 instructions is used on a laptop or personalcomputer as the control device 504 to control the light modules 100. Thelight module 100 may also be provided with memory for storinginstructions to control the processor 16, so that the light module 100may act in stand alone mode according to pre-programmed instructions.

Turning to FIG. 3, shown is an electrical schematic representation ofthe light module 100 in one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4and 5 show the LED-containing side and the electrical connector side ofan exemplary embodiment of such a light module 100. Light module 100 maybe constructed, in an embodiment, as a self-contained module that isconfigured to be a standard item interchangeable with any similarlyconstructed light module. Light module 100 contains a ten-pin electricalconnector 110 of the general type. In this embodiment, the connector 110contains male pins adapted to fit into a complementary ten-pin connectorfemale assembly, to be described below. Pin 180 is the power supply. Asource of DC electrical potential enters light module 100 on pin 180.Pin 180 is electrically connected to the anode end of light emittingdiode (LED) sets 120, 140 and 160 to establish a uniform high potentialon each anode end.

LED system 120 includes a set 121 of red LEDs, a set 140 of blue LEDs,and a set 160 of green LEDs. The LEDs may be conventional LEDs, suchthose obtainable from the Nichia America Corporation. These LEDs areprimary colors, in the sense that such colors when combined inpreselected proportions can generate any color in the spectrum. Whileuse of three primary colors is preferred, it will be understood that thepresent invention will function nearly as well with only two primarycolors to generate a wide variety of colors in the spectrum. Likewise,while the different primary colors are arranged herein on sets ofuniformly colored LEDS, it will be appreciated that the same effect maybe achieved with single LEDs containing multiple color-emittingsemiconductor dies. LED sets 121, 140 and 160 each preferably contains aserial/parallel array of LEDs in the manner described by Okuno in U.S.Pat. No. 4,298,869, incorporated herein by reference. In the presentembodiment, LED system 120 includes LED set 121, which contains threeparallel connected rows of nine red LEDs (not shown), as well as LEDsets 140 and 160, which each contain five parallel connected rows offive blue and green LEDS, respectively (not shown). It is understood bythose in the art that, in general, each red LED drops the potential inthe line by a lower amount than each blue or green LED, about two andone-tenth V, compared to four volts, respectively, which accounts forthe different row lengths. This is because the number of LEDs in eachrow is determined by the amount of voltage drop desired between theanode end at the power supply voltage and the cathode end of the lastLED in the row. Also, the parallel arrangement of rows is a fail-safemeasure that ensures that the light module 100 will still function evenif a single LED in a row fails, thus opening the electrical circuit inthat row. The cathode ends of the three parallel rows of nine red LEDsin LED set 121 are then connected in common, and go to pin 128 onconnector 110. Likewise, the cathode ends of the five parallel rows offive blue LEDs in LED set 140 are connected in common, and go to pin 148on connector 110. The cathode ends of the five parallel rows of fivegreen LEDs in LED set 160 are connected in common, and go to pin 168 onconnector 110. Finally, on light module 100, each LED set in the LEDsystem 120 is associated with a programming resistor that combines withother components, described below, to program the maximum currentthrough each set of LEDS. Between pin 124 and 126 is resistor 122, sixand two-tenths ohms. Between pin 144 and 146 is resistor 142, four andseven-tenths ohms. Between pin 164 and 166 is resistor 162, four andseven-tenths ohms. Resistor 122 programs maximum current through red LEDset 121, resistor 142 programs maximum current through blue LED set 140,and resistor 162 programs maximum current through green LED set 160. Thevalues these resistors should take are determined empirically, based onthe desired maximum light intensity of each LED set. In the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 3, the resistances above program red, blue and greencurrents of seventy, fifty and fifty mA, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 6, a circuit 10 for a digitally controlled LED-basedlight includes an LED assembly 12 containing LED output channels 14,which are controlled by the processor 16. Data and power are fed to thecircuit 10 via power and data input unit 18. The address for theprocessor 16 is set by switch unit 20 containing switches which areconnected to individual pins of pin set 21 of processor 16. Anoscillator 19 provides a clock signal for processor 16 via pins 9 and 10of the same.

In an embodiment of the invention, data and power input unit 18 has fourpins, including a power supply 1, which may be a twenty-four volt LEDpower supply, a processor power supply 2, which may be a five voltprocessor power supply, a data in line 3 and a ground pin 4. The firstpower supply 1 provides power to LED channels 14 of LED assembly 12. Thesecond processor power supply 2 may be connected to power supply input20 of processor 16 to provide operating power for the processor 16 andalso may be connected to a pin 1 of the processor 16 to tie the resethigh. A capacitor 24, such as a one-tenth microfarad capacitor, may beconnected between the processor power supply 2 and ground. The data line3 may be connected to pin 18 of processor 16 and may be used to programand dynamically control the processor 16. The ground may be connected topins 8 and 19 of the processor 16.

LED assembly 12 may be supplied with power from the LED power supply 1and may contain a transistor-controlled LED channel 14. The LED channel14 may supply power to at least one LED. As shown in FIG. 1, the LEDassembly 12 may supply multiple LED channels 14 for different color LEDs(e.g., red, green and blue), with each LED channel 14 individuallycontrolled by a transistor 26. However, it is possible that more thanone channel 14 could be controlled by a single transistor 26.

As shown in FIG. 7, LEDs 15 may be arrayed in series to receive signalsthrough each of the LED channels 14. In the embodiment depicted in FIG.7, a series of LEDs of each different color (red, green and blue) isconnected to an output LED channel 14 from the circuit 10 of FIG. 6.LEDs 15 may also be arrayed to receive data according to a protocol suchas the DMX-512 protocol, so that many individual LEDs 15 may becontrolled through programming the processor 16.

Referring again to FIG. 6, gates of transistors 26 are controlled byprocessor 16 to thereby control operation of the LED channels 14 and theLEDs 15. In the illustrated example, the output of the microprocessorappears on pins 12, 13 and 14 of processor 16, which are then connectedto the gates of the LED channels 14 of the LEDs 15. Additional pins ofprocessor 16 could be used to control additional LEDs. Likewise,different pins of processor 16 could be used to control the illustratedLEDs 15, provided that appropriate modifications were made to theinstructions controlling operation of processor 16.

A resistor 28 may be connected between transistor 26 and ground. In theillustrated example, resistor 28 associated with the red LED has aresistance value of sixty-two ohms, and the resistors associated withthe green and blue LEDs each have a resistance of ninety ohms. Acapacitor 29 may be connected between the first LED power supply 1 andground. In the illustrated embodiment, this capacitor has a value ofone-tenth of a microfarad.

Processor 16 may be connected to an oscillator 19. One acceptableoscillator is a crystal tank circuit oscillator which provides a twentymega Hertz clock. This oscillator may be connected to pins 9 and 10 ofprocessor 16. It is also possible to use an alternative oscillator.Primary considerations associated with selection of an oscillator areconsistency, operating speed and cost.

In an embodiment of the invention, processor 16 is a programmableintegrated circuit, or PIC chip, such as a PIC 16C63 or PIC 16C66manufactured by Microchip Technology, Inc. A complete description of thePIC 16C6X series PIC chip (which includes both the PIC 16C63 and PIC16C66) is attached to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application filed onDec. 17, 1997, entitled Digitally Controlled Light Emitting DiodeSystems and Methods, to Mueller and Lys, and is incorporated byreference herein. Although the PIC 16C66 is currently the preferredmicroprocessor, any processor capable of controlling the LEDs 15 of LEDassembly 12 may be used. Thus, for example, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC) may be used instead of processor 16. Likewise,other commercially available processors may also be used withoutdeparting from this invention.

In an embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 8, a total ofeighteen LEDs 15 are placed in three series according to color, and theseries are arranged to form a substantially circular array 37. Theprocessor 16 can be used to separately control the precise intensity ofeach color series of the LEDs 15, so that any color combination, andthus any color, can be produced by the array 37.

The responsiveness of LEDs to changing electrical signals permitscomputer control of the LEDs via control of the electrical impulsesdelivered to the LEDs. Thus, by connecting the LED to a power source viaa circuit that is controlled by a processor, the user may preciselycontrol the color and intensity of the LED. Due to the relativelyinstantaneous response of LEDs to changes in electrical impulses, thecolor and intensity state of an LED may be varied quite rapidly bychanges in such impulses. By placing individual LEDs into arrays andcontrolling individual LEDs, very precise control of lighting conditionscan be obtained through use of a microprocessor. The processor 16 may becontrolled by conventional means, such as a computer program, to sendthe appropriate electrical signals to the appropriate LED at any giventime. The control may be digital, so that precise control is possible.Thus, overall lighting conditions may be varied in a highly controlledmanner.

With the electrical structure of an embodiment of light module 100described, attention will now be given to the electrical structure of anexample of a power module 200 in one embodiment of the invention, shownin FIG. 9. FIGS. 10 and 11 show the power terminal side and electricalconnector side of an embodiment of power module 200. Like light module100, power module 200 may be self contained. Interconnection with a malepin set 110 is achieved through complementary female pin set 210. Pin280 connects with pin 180 for supplying power, delivered to pin 280 fromsupply 300. Supply 300 is shown as a functional block for simplicity. Inactuality, supply 300 can take numerous forms for generating a DCvoltage. In the present embodiment, supply 300 provides twenty-fourvolts through a connection terminal (not shown), coupled to pin 280through transient protection capacitors (not shown) of the general type.It will be appreciated that supply 300 may also supply a DC voltageafter rectification and/or voltage transformation of an AC supply, asdescribed more fully in U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,869.

Also connected to pin connector 210 are three current programmingintegrated circuits, ICR 220, ICB 240 and ICG 260. Each of these may bea three terminal adjustable regulator, such as part number LM317B,available from the National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara,Calif. The teachings of the LM317 datasheet are incorporated herein byreference. Each regulator contains an input terminal, an output terminaland an adjustment terminal, labeled I, O, and A, respectively. Theregulators function to maintain a constant maximum current into theinput terminal and out of the output terminal. This maximum current ispre-programmed by setting a resistance between the output and theadjustment terminals. This is because the regulator will cause thevoltage at the input terminal to settle to whatever value is needed tocause one and twenty-five hundredths volts to appear across the fixedcurrent set resistor, thus causing constant current to flow. Since eachfunctions identically, only ICR 220 will now be described. First,current enters the input terminal of ICR 220 from pin 228. Pin 228 inthe power module is coupled to pin 128 in the light module and receivescurrent directly from the cathode end of the red LED system 121. Sinceresistor 122 is ordinarily disposed between the output and adjustmentterminals of ICR 220 through pins 224/124 and 226/126, resistor 122programs the amount of current regulated by ICR 220. Eventually, thecurrent output from the adjustment terminal of ICR 220 enters aDarlington driver. In this way, ICR 220 and associated resistor 122program the maximum current through red LED system 120. Similar resultsare achieved with ICB 240 and resistor 142 for blue LED set 140, andwith ICG 260 and resistor 162 for green LED set 160.

The red, blue and green LED currents enter another integrated circuit,ICI 380, at respective nodes 324, 344 and 364. ICI 380 may be a highcurrent/voltage Darlington driver, such as part no. DS2003, availablefrom the National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif. ICI 380may be used as a current sink, and may function to switch currentbetween respective LED sets and ground 390. As described in the DS2003datasheet, incorporated herein by reference, ICI contains six sets ofDarlington transistors with appropriate on-board biasing resistors. Asshown, nodes 324, 344 and 364 couple the current from the respective LEDsets to three pairs of these Darlington transistors, in the well knownmanner to take advantage of the fact that the current rating of ICI 380may be doubled by using pairs of Darlington transistors to sinkrespective currents. Each of the three on-board Darlington pairs is usedin the following manner as a switch. The base of each Darlington pair iscoupled to signal inputs 424, 444 and 464, respectively. Hence, input424 is the signal input for switching current through node 324, and thusthe red LED set 121. Input 444 is the signal input for switching currentthough node 344, and thus the blue LED set 140. Input 464 is the signalinput for switching current through node 364, and thus the green LED set160. Signal inputs 424, 444 and 464 are coupled to respective signaloutputs 434, 454 and 474 on microcontroller IC2 400, as described below.In essence, when a high frequency square wave is incident on arespective signal input, ICI 380 switches current through a respectivenode with the identical frequency and duty cycle. Thus, in operation,the states of signal inputs 424, 444 and 464 directly correlate with theopening and closing of the power circuit through respective LED sets121, 140 and 160.

The structure and operation of microcontroller IC2 400 in the embodimentof FIG. 9 will now be described. Microcontroller IC2 400 is preferably aMICROCHIP brand PIC16C63, although almost any properly programmedmicrocontroller or microprocessor can perform the software functionsdescribed herein. The main function of microcontroller IC2 400 is toconvert numerical data received on serial Rx pin 520 into threeindependent high frequency square waves of uniform frequency butindependent duty cycles on signal output pins 434, 454 and 474. The FIG.9 representation of microcontroller IC2 400 is partially stylized, inthat persons of skill in the art will appreciate that certain of thetwenty-eight standard pins have been omitted or combined for greatestclarity Further detail as to a similar microcontroller is provided inconnection with FIG. 12 for another embodiment of the invention.

Microcontroller IC2 400 is powered through pin 450, which is coupled toa five volt source of DC power 700. Source 700 is preferably driven fromsupply 300 through a coupling (not shown) that includes a voltageregulator (not shown). An exemplary voltage regulator is the LM3403-terminal positive regulator, available from the National SemiconductorCorporation, Santa Clara, Calif. The teachings of the LM340 datasheetare hereby incorporated by reference. Those of skill in the art willappreciate that most microcontrollers, and many other independentlypowered digital integrated circuits, are rated for no more than a fivevolt power source. The clock frequency of microcontroller IC2 400 is setby crystal 480, coupled through appropriate pins. Pin 490 is themicrocontroller IC2 400 ground reference.

Switch 600 is a twelve position dip switch that may be alterably andmechanically set to uniquely identify the microcontroller IC2 400. Whenindividual ones of the twelve mechanical switches within dip switch 600are closed, a path is generated from corresponding pins 650 onmicrocontroller IC2 400 to ground 690. Twelve switches createtwenty-four possible settings, allowing any microcontroller IC2 400 totake on one of four thousand ninety-six different IDs, or addresses. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 9, only nine switches are actually used becausethe DMX-512 protocol is employed.

Once switch 600 is set, microcontroller IC2 400 “knows” its uniqueaddress (“who am I”), and “listens” on serial line 520 for a data streamspecifically addressed to it. A high speed network protocol, such as aDMX protocol, may be used to address network data to each individuallyaddressed microcontroller IC2 400 from a central network controller (notshown). The DMX protocol is described in a United States TheatreTechnology, Inc. publication entitled “DMX512/1990 Digital DataTransmission Standard for Dimmers and Controllers,” incorporated hereinby reference. Basically, in the network protocol used herein, a centralcontroller (not shown) creates a stream of network data consisting ofsequential data packets.

Each packet first contains a header, which is checked for conformance tothe standard and discarded, followed by a stream of sequentialcharacters representing data for sequentially addressed devices. Forinstance, if the data packet is intended for light number fifteen, thenfourteen characters from the data stream will be discarded, and thedevice will save character number fifteen. If as in the preferredembodiment, more than one character is needed, then the address isconsidered to be a starting address, and more than one character issaved and utilized. Each character corresponds to a decimal number zeroto two hundred fifty-five, linearly representing the desired intensityfrom Off to Full. (For simplicity, details of the data packets such asheaders and stop bits are omitted from this description, and will bewell appreciated by those of skill in the art.) This way, each of thethree LED colors is assigned a discrete intensity value between zero andtwo hundred fifty-five. These respective intensity values are stored inrespective registers within the memory of microcontroller IC2 400 (notshown). Once the central controller exhausts all data packets, it startsover in a continuous refresh cycle. The refresh cycle is defined by thestandard to be a minimum of one thousand one hundred ninety-sixmicroseconds, and a maximum of one second.

Microcontroller IC2 400 is programmed continually to “listen” for itsdata stream. When microcontroller IC2 400 is “listening,” but before itdetects a data packet intended for it, it is running a routine designedto create the square wave signal outputs on pins 434, 454 and 474. Thevalues in the color registers determine the duty cycle of the squarewave. Since each register can take on a value from zero to two hundredfifty five, these values create two hundred fifty six possible differentduty cycles in a linear range from zero percent to one hundred percent.Since the square wave frequency is uniform and determined by the programrunning in the microcontroller IC2 400, these different discrete dutycycles represent variations in the width of the square wave pulses. Thisis known as pulse width modulation (PWM).

In one embodiment of the invention, the PWM interrupt routine isimplemented using a simple counter, incrementing from zero to twohundred fifty-five in a cycle during each period of the square waveoutput on pins 434, 454 and 474. When the counter rolls over to zero,all three signals are set high. Once the counter equals the registervalue, signal output is changed to low. When microcontroller IC2 400receives new data, it freezes the counter, copies the new data to theworking registers, compares the new register values with the currentcount and updates the output pins accordingly, and then restarts thecounter exactly where it left off. Thus, intensity values may be updatedin the middle of the PWM cycle. Freezing the counter and simultaneouslyupdating the signal outputs has at least two advantages. First, itallows each lighting unit to quickly pulse/strobe as a strobe lightdoes. Such strobing happens when the central controller sends networkdata having high intensity values alternately with network data havingzero intensity values at a rapid rate. If one restarted the counterwithout first updating the signal outputs, then the human eye would beable to perceive the staggered deactivation of each individual color LEDthat is set at a different pulse width. This feature is not of concernin incandescent lights because of the integrating effect associated withthe heating and cooling cycle of the illumination element. LEDS, unlikeincandescent elements, activate and deactivate essentiallyinstantaneously in the present application. The second advantage is thatone can “dim” the LEDs without the flickering that would otherwise occurif the counter were reset to zero. The central controller can send acontinuous dimming signal when it creates a sequence of intensity valuesrepresenting a uniform and proportional decrease in light intensity foreach color LED. If one did not update the output signals beforerestarting the counter, there is a possibility that a single color LEDwill go through nearly two cycles without experiencing the zero currentstate of its duty cycle. For instance, assume the red register is set at4 and the counter is set at 3 when it is frozen. Here, the counter isfrozen just before the “off part” of the PWM cycle is to occur for thered LEDS. Now assume that the network data changes the value in the redregister from four to two and the counter is restarted withoutdeactivating the output signal. Even though the counter is greater thanthe intensity value in the red register, the output state is still “on”,meaning that maximum current is still flowing through the red LEDS.

Meanwhile, the blue and green LEDs will probably turn off at theirappropriate times in the PWM cycle. This would be perceived by the humaneye as a red flicker in the course of dimming the color intensities.Freezing the counter and updating the output for the rest of the PWMcycle overcomes these disadvantages, ensuring the flicker does notoccur.

The microprocessors that provide the digital control functions of theLEDs of the present invention may be responsive to any electricalsignal; that is, external signals may be used to direct themicroprocessors to control the LEDs in a desired manner. A computerprogram may control such signals, so that a programmed response to giveninput signals is possible. Thus, signals may be generated that turnindividual LEDs on and off, that vary the color of individual LEDsthroughout the color spectrum, that strobe or flash LEDs atpredetermined intervals that are controllable to very short timeintervals, and that vary the intensity of light from a single LED orcollection of LEDs. A variety of signal-generating devices may be usedin accordance with the present invention to provide significant benefitsto the user. Input signals can range from simple on-off or intensitysignals, such as that from a light switch or dial, or from a remotecontrol, to signals from detectors, such as detectors of ambienttemperature or light. The precise digital control of arrayed LEDs inresponse to a wide range of external signals permits applications in anumber of technological fields in accordance with the present invention.

The network interface for microcontroller IC2 400 will now be described.Jacks 800 and 900 are standard RJ-45 network jacks. Jack 800 is used asan input jack, and is shown for simplicity as having only three inputs:signal inputs 860, 870 and ground 850. Network data enters jack 800 andpasses through signal inputs 860 and 870. These signal inputs are thencoupled to IC3 500, which is an RS-485/RS-422 differential bus repeaterof the standard type, preferably a DS96177 from the NationalSemiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif. The teachings of theDS96177 datasheet are hereby incorporated by reference. The signalinputs 860, 870 enter IC3 500 at pins 560, 570. The data signal ispassed through from pin 510 to pin 520 on microcontroller IC2 400. Thesame data signal is then returned from pin 540 on IC2 400 to pin 530 onIC3 500. Jack 900 is used as an output jack and is shown for simplicityas having only five outputs: signal outputs 960, 970, 980, 990 andground 950. Outputs 960 and 970 are split directly from input lines 860and 870, respectively. Outputs 980 and 990 come directly from IC3 500pins 580 and 590, respectively. It will be appreciated that theforegoing assembly enables two network nodes to be connected forreceiving the network data. Thus, a network may be constructed as adaisy chain, if only single nodes are strung together, or as a tree, iftwo or more nodes are attached to the output of each single node.

From the foregoing description, one can see that an addressable networkof LED illumination or display units can be constructed from acollection of power modules each connected to a respective light module.As long as at least two primary color LEDs are used, any illumination ordisplay color may be generated simply by preselecting the lightintensity that each color LED emits. Further, each color LED can emitlight at any of 255 different intensities, depending on the duty cycleof PWM square wave, with a full intensity generated by passing maximumcurrent through the LED. Further still, the maximum intensity can beconveniently programmed simply by adjusting the ceiling for the maximumallowable current using programming resistances for the currentregulators residing on the light module. Light modules of differentmaximum current ratings may thereby be conveniently interchanged.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a special power supplymodule 38 is provided, as depicted in FIG. 12. The power supply module38 may be disposed on any platform of the light module 100, such as, forexample, the platform of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. Theoutput of the power supply module 38 supplies power to a power and datainput, such as the power and data input 18 of the circuit 10 of FIG. 6.The power supply module 38 is capable of taking a voltage or currentinput in a variety of forms, including an intermittent input, andsupplying a steady, clean source of power to the circuit 10. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 12, the power supply module includes inputs40, which may be incoming electrical signals that would typically be ofalternating current type. Incoming signals are then converted by arectifying element 42, which in an embodiment of the invention is abridge rectifier consisting of four diodes 44. The rectifying element 42rectifies the alternating current signal into a clean direct currentsignal. The power supply module 38 may further include a storage element48, which may include one or more capacitors 50. The storage elementstores power that is supplied by the rectifying element 42, so that thepower supply module 38 can supply power to the input 18 of the circuit10 of FIG. 6, even if power to the input 40 of the power supply module38 is intermittent. In the illustrated example, one of the capacitors isan electrolytic capacitor with a value of three hundred thirtymicrofarads.

The power supply module 38 may further include a boost converter 52. Theboost converter takes a low voltage direct current and boosts and cleansit to provide a higher voltage to the DC power input 18 of the circuit10 of FIG. 6. The boost converter 52 may include an inductor 54, acontroller 58, one or more capacitors 60, one or more resistors 62, andone or more diodes 64. The resistors limit the data voltage excursionsin the signal to the processor of the circuit 10. The controller 58 maybe a conventional controller suitable for boost conversion, such as theLTC1372 controller provided by Linear Technology Corporation. Theteachings of the LTC1372 data sheet are incorporated by referenceherein.

In the illustrated embodiment, the boost converter 52 is capable oftaking power at approximately ten volts and converting it to a cleanpower at twenty-four volts. The twenty-four volt power can be used topower the circuit 10 and the LEDs 15 of FIG. 6.

In certain embodiments of the invention, power and data are supplied tothe circuit 10 and the LEDs 15 by conventional means, such as aconventional electrical wire or wires for power and a separate wire,such as the RS-485 wire, for data, as in most applications of theDMX-512 protocol. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, aseparate data wire may provide data to control the LEDs 15, if theplatform 30 is inserted into a conventional halogen fixture 34 that hasonly electrical power.

In another embodiment, electrical power and serial data aresimultaneously supplied to the device, which may be a lighting devicesuch as the LED-based lighting device of FIG. 1 or may be any otherdevice that requires both electrical power and data. Electrical powerand data may be supplied to multiple lighting devices on a single pairof wires. In particular, in this embodiment of the invention, power isdelivered to the device (and, where applicable, through the power supplymodule 38) along a two wire data bus such as the type normally used forlighting in applications where high power is required, such as halogenlamps.

In an embodiment of the invention, the power supply module 38 recoverspower from data lines. In order to permit power recovery from datalines, a power data multiplexer 60 is provided, which amplifies anincoming data stream to produce logical data levels, with one or more ofthe logical states having sufficient voltage or current that power canbe recovered during that logical state. Referring to FIG. 13, in anembodiment of the invention, a data input 64 is provided, which may be aline driver or other input for providing data. In embodiment of theinvention, the data is DMX-512 protocol data for control of lighting,such as LEDs. It should be understood that the power data multiplexer 60could manipulate data according to other protocols and for control ofother devices.

The power data multiplexer 60 may include a data input element 68 and adata output element 70. The data output element 70 may include an outputelement 72 that supplies combined power and data to a device, such asthe power supply module 38 of FIG. 12, or the input 18 of the circuit 10of FIG. 6. The data input element 68 may include a receiver 74, whichmay be an RS-485 receiver for receiving DMX-512 data, or any otherconventional receiver for receiving data according to a protocol. Thedata input element 68 may further include a power supply 78 with avoltage regulator 80, for providing regulated power to the receiver 74and the data output element 70. The data input element 68 supplies adata signal to the data output element 70. In the illustrated embodimentof FIG. 12, a TTL data signal is supplied. The data output element 70amplifies the data signal and determines the relative voltage directionof the output. In the illustrated embodiment, a chip 82 consists of ahigh speed PWM stepper motor driver chip that amplifies the data signalto a positive signal of twenty four volts to reflect a logical one andto negative signal of twenty four volts to reflect a logical zero. Itshould be understood that different voltages could be used to reflectlogical ones and zeros. For example, zero volts could represent logicalzero, with a particular positive or negative voltage representing alogical one.

In this embodiment, the voltage is sufficient to supply power whilemaintaining the logical data values of the data stream. The chip 82 maybe any conventional chip capable of taking an input signal andamplifying it in a selected direction to a larger voltage. It should beunderstood that any circuit for amplifying data while maintaining thelogical value of the data stream may be used for the power datamultiplexer 60.

The embodiments of FIGS. 12 and 13 should be understood to encompass anydevices for converting a data signal transmitted according to a dataprotocol, in which certain data are represented by nonzero signals inthe protocol, into power that supplies an electrical device. The devicemay be a light module 100, such as that depicted in FIG. 1.

In an embodiment of the invention, the data supplied to the power datamultiplexer 60 is data according to the USITT DMX-512 protocol, in whicha constant stream of data is transmitted from a console, such as atheatrical console, to all devices on the DMX-512 network. DMX-512formats are enforced upon the data. Because of this one can be assuredthat the power data multiplexer 60, either in the embodiment depicted inFIG. 13, or in another embodiment, can amplify the DMX-512 signal fromthe standard signal voltage and/or electrical current levels to highervoltages, and usually higher electrical currents.

The resulting higher power signal from the power data multiplexer 60 canbe converted back into separated power by the power supply module 38, orby another circuit capable of providing rectification with a diode andfiltering with a capacitor for the power.

The data stream from the power data multiplexor 60 can be recovered bysimple resistive division, which will recover a standard data voltagelevel signal to be fed to the input 18. Resistive division can beaccomplished by the resistors 84 of FIG. 12.

The power data multiplexer 62, when combined with the power supplymodule 38 and the array 37 mounted on a modular platform 30, permits theinstallation of LED-based, digitally controlled lighting using alreadyexisting wires and fixtures. As the system permits the device to obtainpower and data from a single pair of wires, no separate data or powerwires are required. The power data multiplexor 60 can be installed alonga conventional data wire, and the power supply module 38 can beinstalled on the platform 30. Thus, with a simple addition of the powerdata multiplexor 60 and the insertion of the modular platform 30 into aconventional halogen fixture, the user can have LED based, digitallycontrolled lights by supplying DMX-512 data to the power datamultiplexor 60.

It should be understood that the power supply module 38 can be suppliedwith standard twelve volt alternating current in a non-modified manner.That is, the power supply module can supply the array 37 fromalternating current present in conventional fixtures, such as MR-16fixtures. If digital control is desired, then a separate data wire canbe supplied, if desired.

Another embodiment of a power data multiplexor 60 is depicted in FIG.14. In this embodiment, a power supply of between twelve and twenty-fourvolts is used, connected to input terminals 899.

The voltage at 803 is eight volts greater than the supply voltage. Thevoltage at 805 is about negative eight volts. The voltage at 801 is fivevolts. The power data multiplexor 60 may include decoupling capacitors807 and 809 for the input power supply. A voltage regulator 811 createsa clean, five volt supply, decoupled by capacitor 813. A voltageregulator 815, which may be an LM317 voltage regulator available fromNational Semiconductor, forms an eighteen volt voltage regulator withresistors 817 and 819, decoupled by capacitors 821 and 823. Theteachings of the LM317 data sheet are incorporated by reference herein.This feeds an adjustable step down regulator 823, which may be an LT1375step down regulator available from Linear Technology of Milpitas Calif.,operated in the voltage inverting configuration. The teachings of theLT1375 data sheet are incorporated by reference herein. The resistancesof resistors 817 and 819 have been selected create negative eight volts,and a diode 844 is a higher voltage version than that indicated in thedata sheet, inductor 846 is may be any conventional inductor, forexample, one with a value of one hundred uH to allow a smaller andcheaper capacitor to be used for the capacitor 848, supply has beenfurther bypassed with capacitor 852. Diode 854 may be a plastic packagedversion 1N914, and frequency compensating capacitor 856 sizedappropriately for changes in other components according to data sheetformulas. The circuit generates negative eight volts at 805.

Also included may be a step up voltage regulator 825, which may be anLT1372 voltage regulator available from Linear Technology of Milpitas,Calif. The teachings of the LT1372 data sheet are incorporated byreference herein. The step up voltage regulator may be of a standarddesign. Diode 862 may be a diode with higher voltage than that taught bythe data sheet. Inductor 864 and capacitor 839 may be sizedappropriately according to data sheet formulas to generate eight voltsmore than input voltage over the range between input voltages of twelveand twenty-four volts. Capacitor 866 may be sized for frequencycompensation given values of inductor 864 and capacitor 868 as per datasheet guidelines. A set of resistors 827, 833, 837, along withtransistors 829 form the voltage feedback circuit. Resistors 833 and 837form a voltage divider, producing a voltage in proportion to the outputvoltage 803 at the feedback node pin 835. Resistors 827 and transistors829 form a current mirror, drawing a current from the feedback node at835 in proportion to the input voltage. The voltage at feedback pin 835is thus proportional to the output voltage minus the input voltage. Theratio of resistor 833 to that of resistor 837, which may need to beequal to resistor 827 for the subtraction to work, is chosen to produceeight volts. Capacitors 839 may be used to further bypass the supply.

Incoming data, which may be in the form of an incoming RS-485 protocoldata stream, is received by a receiver chip 841 at the pins 843 and 845,buffered, and amplified to produce true and complement data signals atpins 847 and 849 respectively. These signals are further buffered andinverted by element 851 to produce true and complement data signals withsubstantial drive capabilities at pins 853 and 855, respectively.

Each of the signals from the pins 853 and 855 is then processed by anoutput amplifier. There are two output amplifiers 857 and 859, which maybe substantially identical in design and function. In each case, thedata signal entering the amplifier connected to two switched cascodetype current sources 861 and 863, the first composed of resistor 865 andtransistor 867, the second composed of resistor 869 and transistor 871,at the junction of the two resistors 865 and 869. The current source 863will sink a current of approximately 20 milliamps when the signalentering the amplifier is low, such as at zero volts, and will sink nocurrent when the signal is high, for example at positive five volts. Theother current source 861 will source approximately twenty milliampereswhen the signal is high, but not when low. These currents are fed to twocurrent mirrors 873 and 875, composed of transistors 877 and 879 andresistors 881 and 883 for current source 863 and transistors 885 and 887and resistors 889 and 891 for current source 861, which are of astandard design, familiar to analog circuit designers. The collectors oftransistors 877 and 885 are connected together, forming a currentsumming node. The net current delivered to this node by thesetransistors will be about twenty milliamps in either the sourcingdirection (flowing into the node) if the input signal is low, or thesinking direction (flowing out of the node) if the signal is high. Whena transition from the low state to the high state occurs at the inputsignal, the resulting twenty milliampere sinking current will causecapacitor 893 (and the parasitic capacitance at this node) to dischargeat a controlled rate of approximately fifty volts per microsecond, untilthe voltage at the node reaches approximately negative five volts, atwhich time diodes 895 and 897 will begin to conduct, clamping thenegative excursion of the node voltage at negative five volts, andpreventing the saturation of transistor 885. Transistors 899 and 901form a bidirectional Class B voltage follower of a standard design, andthe voltage at the junction of their emitters follows the transition atthe node connected to capacitor 893. Specifically transistor 899 turnsoff and transistor 901 conducts, causing the voltage at the gates oftransistors 903 and 907 to decrease, switching off transistor 903 andslowly turning on transistor 907, causing current to flow from theoutput pin 909 to ground. Field effect transistors 903 and 907, whichmay be of the type available from National Semiconductor of Santa Clara,Calif., also form a Class B Voltage follower, of standard design. Whenthe voltage at the current summing node is clamped at negative fivevolts, the voltage at the gate of 903 will reach negative four andfour-tenths volts, and transistor 907 will remain on so long as theinput signal remains high.

Once the input signal goes low, the current at the summing node willchange direction, and capacitor 893 will charge at the same rate,eventually being clamped to a value of the input voltage plus fivevolts. Transistor 899 will cause the voltage at the gates of transistor903 and transistor 905 to rise, turning off transistor 903 and turningon transistor 907, sourcing current from the input supply to the outputthrough resistor 911. It will take approximately five hundrednanoseconds for the voltage at the summing node, and hence the output,to fully switch between zero and twenty-four volts (if the power inputis the maximum of twenty four volts), or approximately two hundred fiftynanoseconds to move between zero and twelve volts (if the power input istwelve volts). Transistor 905 and resistor 911 form a short circuitprotection circuit, limiting the current flowing through 903 toapproximately six amperes. Diode 913 isolates the short circuitprotector circuit when transistor 903 is not on. No protection isprovided for transistor 907, because the expected short circuit pathswould be either to ground or to the other amplifier channel. In thefirst case no current could flow through transistor 907, while in thesecond, the other amplifier's short circuit protection would protecttransistor 907.

Because of the bridge rectifier at the input to the device, as disclosedin connection with the description of the embodiment of FIG. 6, thepower data multiplexor circuits depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14 supply powerto the device during both the data=1 and data=0 states and does not relyon any data format at the input to maintain sufficient power to thedevice. The data is extracted as in other embodiments of the invention.

The circuit of FIG. 14 produces a controlled slew rate; that is, thepower and data generated have relatively smooth transitions between alogical zero state and a local one state. The controlled slew rateproduced by the circuit of FIG. 14 decreases the magnitude of the radiofrequency interference generated, as described more particularly belowin connection with the data track embodiment of the invention.

The lamps themselves auto terminate the line, as their input lookssubstantially similar to the terminating circuit in the track embodimentdescribed below, having the same effect as that terminating circuit.This eliminates any need for terminators on the line. Additionaltermination is only needed in the case of a device that is commanded tobe off, with actual data wire impedance low, with a long wire, and wherethere are many transitions going by. Since this is a very unlikelycombination of factors, the configuration with an additional terminatoris not needed as a practical matter.

For the embodiment of FIG. 14, six amperes of power runs forty eightlights at twenty-four volts or twenty four lights at twelve volts.

In an embodiment of the invention, a modified method and system isprovide to provide multiple simultaneous high speed pulse widthmodulated signals. The method may be accomplished by computer softwarecoding of the steps depicted in the flow charts 202 and 205 of FIG. 15,or by computer hardware designed to accomplish these functions. Togenerate a number, N, of PWM signals, in a step 204 the processorschedules an interrupt of at least N possibly equal (as in thisembodiment) sub-periods. In this embodiment this interrupt is generatedby a counter, interrupting the processor every two hundred fifty-sixprocessor clock cycles. In step 208 each sub-period's coarse PWM valuesare computed. In step 212, the vernier value for each PWM channel iscomputed. The sub-periods may be denoted P.sub.i where the firstsub-period is one, etc.

In each sub-period, which begins with an interrupt at a step 213, theinterrupt routine executes the steps of the flow chart 205. In a step214, all PWM signals are updated from pre-computed values correspondingto this specific sub-period. In most cases this entails a single readfrom an array of pre-computed values, followed by a single write toupdate the multiple I/O pins on which the PWM signals are generated.

In a step 218, one of the PWM signals is then modified. The step 218 isaccomplished by executing a write to the I/O pins, executing a series ofinstructions consuming the desired amount of time, and then executinganother update (I/O) write.

In a step 222, the processor advances the sub-period bookkeeping valueto point to the next sub-period.

The vernier in the step 218 can reduce or increase the amount of timethat the PWM signal is on, by changing the state of the signal for up toone-half of the sub-period. There are two possible cases. Either thecoarse update places the signal in the “off” state and the vernierroutine turns it “on” for a time period of up to one-half of the subperiod, or the coarse update is “on” and the vernier routine turns thesignal “off” for a period of time of up to one-half of the sub period.

Using this method, each PWM signal can change multiple times per PWMperiod. This is advantageous because software can use this property tofurther increase the apparent PWM frequency, while still maintaining arelatively low interrupt rate.

The method disclosed thus far consumes a maximum of approximately halfof the processor time compared to conventional PWM routines.

As an example: consider two signals A and B with a resolution of twentycounts programmed to seven and fourteen counts respectively. Thesesignals could be generated as follows:

A: .vertline.+v.sub.−− v++++++.vertline..sub.−−−−−−−−−−−− .vertline. B:.vertline.++++++++++.vertline..sub.−− ++ .sub. −−−− .vertline. Pi: 1  2

In this example the pre-computed update value at P.sub.i=1 is bothsignals on. Signal A then spends some time in the on state, while theinterrupt routine continues to execute. A then goes off in the vernierstep at the first “v”, and the interrupt routine executes time delaycode during the time before restoring the signal to the on state at thesecond “v”.

The actual time between the multiple update at the beginning of the subperiod and the vernier update need not be known, so long as the timespent between the vernier updates is the desired time. While the vernierupdates are occurring, signal B, which was switched on, remains on andun-affected. When the second interrupt occurs, both signals are switchedoff, and the vernier routine now adds four additional counts to theperiod of signal B. In this example only thirty-five percent of theprocessor time plus the time required for two interrupts has beenconsumed.

Since only one vernier period is required per signal generated,increasing the number of periods per PWM cycle can generate non-uniformPWM waveforms at frequencies higher than those possible on mostmicroprocessors' dedicated hardware PWM outputs for a large number ofpossible PWM channels. The microprocessor still executes interrupts atfixed intervals.

To change the duty cycles of the signals produced, the software canasynchronously update any or all of the coarse or vernier values, in anyorder, without having to worry about synchronization with the interruptroutine, and more importantly, without stopping it. The interruptroutine never changes any variables which the main code changes orvice-versa. Thus there is no need for interlocks of any kind.

This software routine can thus utilize a single timer to generatemultiple PWM signals, with each signal ultimately having the resolutionof a single processor cycle. On a Microchip PIC microprocessor, thisallows three PWM signals to be generated with a resolution of twohundred fifty-six counts, each corresponding to only a four instructiondelay. This allows a PWM period of just one thousand twenty fourinstruction cycles, i.e. four thousand eight hundred eighty two Hertz ata twenty megaHertz clock.

Furthermore, for counts between sixty-four and one hundred ninety-two,the PWM waveform is a non-uniform nine thousand seven hundred sixty-fiveHertz signal, with much lower noise than a conventional PWM generator insuch a processor.

As described above, the LED arrays of the present invention areresponsive to external electrical signals and data. Accordingly, it isdesirable to have improved data and signal distribution mechanisms inorder to take full advantage of the benefits of the present invention.In an embodiment of the invention, the data connection 500 can be a DMXor lighting data network bus disposed in a track on which conventionallights or LEDs are located. Thus, a track capable of delivering datasignals may be run inside a track lighting apparatus for LEDs orconventional lights. The data signals may then be controlled by amicroprocessor to permit intelligent individual control of theindividual lamps or LEDs. It is within the scope of the presentinvention to provide distributed lights that are responsive to bothelectrical and data control.

The LEDs of the present invention are highly responsive to changes theinput signal. Accordingly, to take advantage of the features of theinvention, rapid data distribution is desirable. In embodiment of theinvention, a method for increasing the communication speed of DMX-512networks is provided. In particular, DMX 512-networks send data at twohundred fifty-thousand baud. All receivers are required by the DMXstandard to recognize a line break of a minimum of eighty-eightmicroseconds. After the mark is recognized, all devices wait to receivea start code and ignore the rest of the packet if anything other thanzero was received. If a non-zero start code is sent prior to sendingdata at a higher baud rate, the devices are able to respond more quicklyto the higher baud rate. Alternatively channels above a certain numbercould be assigned to the high baud rate, and other devices would not bedeprived of necessary data as they would already have received theirdata from that frame. It may be desirable to frame several characterswith correct stop bits to prevent loss of synchronization.

The present invention may also include an automation system chassis thatconsists of a mother board that communicates with a network and/or bususing the DMX, Ethernet or other protocol to control a wide range ofelectrical devices, including the LED arrays of the present invention.

In another embodiment of the invention, the input signals for themicroprocessor can be obtained from a light control network that doesnot have a direct electrical circuit connection. A switch that ismounted on a wall or a remote control can transmit a programmedinfrared, radio frequency or other signal to a receiver which can thentransmit the signal to the microprocessor.

Another embodiment provides a different track lighting system. Presenttrack lighting systems use both the physical and electrical propertiesof a track of materials, which typically consist of an extruded aluminumtrack housing extruded plastic insulators to support and house copperconductors. A conventional track lighting system delivers power andprovides a mechanical support for light fixtures, which can generally beattached to the “track” at any location along its length by a customerwithout tools.

In the simplest form, a track provides only two conductors, and allfixtures along the track receive power from the same two conductors. Inthis situation, all fixtures attached to the track are controlled by asingle control device. It is not possible to control remotely (switch onor off, or dim) a subset of the fixtures attached to the track withoutaffecting the other fixtures.

Track systems have generally included more than two conductors,primarily because of the requirements of the Underwriters Laboratoriesfor a separate ground conductor. Many systems have also endeavored toprovide more than just two current-carrying conductors. The purpose ofadditional current-carrying conductors is typically either to increasethe total power carrying capacity of the track, or to provide separatecontrol over a subset of fixtures. Tracks with up to four “circuits,” orcurrent-carrying conductors, are known.

Even with four circuits however, full flexibility may not be achievedwith conventional tracks, for a number of reasons. First, a fixture isassigned to a subset at the time of insertion into the track. Thus, thatfixture will be affected by signals for the particular subset. If thereare more lights than circuits, it is not possible to control lightsindividually with conventional systems. Also, the fixture typically onlyreceives power, which can be modified somewhat (i.e. dimmed), but cannoteasily be used to send substantial quantities of data. Further,information cannot be returned easily from the fixtures.

The track embodiment disclosed herein provides individual control of alarge number of lighting fixtures installed on a track and allows robustbidirectional communication over that track, while complying withregulatory requirements pertaining to both safety and pertaining toelimination of spurious radio frequency emissions. Disclosed herein aremethods and systems for creating electrical signals for delivering datato a multitude of lighting fixtures attached to a track, a track capableof delivering the signals to the fixtures, and specialized terminationdevices for ensuring that the signals do not cause excessive spuriousreflections.

Referring to FIG. 16, in an embodiment, a user may wish to send lightingcontrol data over a track 6002 to a fixture 6000, preferably using anindustry standard. The fixture 6000 could be a light module 100, such asthat disclosed herein, or it could be any other conventional fixturecapable of connection to a conventional track lighting track. In anembodiment, the data control standard is the DMX-512 standard describedherein.

DMX-512 specifies the use of RS-485 voltage signaling levels andinput/output devices. However, use of RS-485 presents certain problemsin the track lighting applications described herein, because it requiresthat the network to which the fixture 6000 is attached be in the form ofa bus, composed of lengths of controlled impedance media, and itrequires that the network be terminated at each bus endpoint. Theseproperties are not provided in typical track lighting systems, whichgenerally do not contain controlled impedance conductor systems.Furthermore, track installations often contain branches or “Ts” at whichone section of track branches to multiple other sections, and it isundesirable to electrically regenerate signals at such points, for cost,reliability and installation reasons. Because of this, each sectioncannot be “terminated” with its characteristic impedance to achieve aproperly terminated network for purposes of RS-485.

It is possible however, through the present invention, to send signalsconforming to a modification of the RS-485 specification, which can bereceived by currently available devices that conform to the RS-485specification.

To deliver data effectively in this environment, a new data transmitter6004 is needed. In order to negate the transmission line effect createdby the multiple sections of track, a controlled waveshape driver isutilized as the data transmitter 6004. The design of this driver may befurther optimized to minimize the amount of unintended radio frequencyradiation, to allow conformance to FCC and CE regulatory requirements.To further ensure signal integrity, a specialized termination networkmay be utilized.

Certain characteristics of the track system are relevant. First,multiple sections of track can be viewed as a collection of individualtransmission lines, each with some (generally unknown) characteristicimpedance, and with some unknown length. Fixtures attached to the trackpresent some load along the transmission line's length. The RS-485standard specifies that the minimum impedance of such loads shall be notless than ten and five-tenths kilo-ohms, and that the added capacitancemust not exceed fifty picofarads. In a large lighting network, it ispossible to envision a track system comprised of several dozen sections,each up to several meters long. The total number of fixtures can easilyexceed two hundred in just a single room. Thus the total load presentedby the controlled devices alone can be below fifty ohms and contain anadded ten thousand picofarads of capacitance. Furthermore, crosstalkbetween the power conductors and signal conductors in the track can alsooccur. The track itself may present upwards of twenty-five picofaradsper foot of additional capacitance.

It is generally understood that transmission lines shorter thanone-fourth of the wavelength of the highest frequency signal transmittedon them can be analyzed and viewed as a lumped load; i.e., theirtransmission line effects can be effectively ignored. Thus anycombination of loads and track sections can be viewed as a single lumpedload, so long as the maximum length from any one terminus to any otherterminus is less than one-fourth of the wavelength of the highestfrequency signal delivered to it. For a digital signal, the highestfrequency component is the edge, at which the signal transitions betweenthe two voltage states representing a logical one and a logical zero.The DMX-512 lighting control protocol specifies a data transmission rateof two hundred fifty thousand bits per second. The signal edgetransition time required to reliably transmit such a signal is at leastfive times faster than that rate; i.e., the transition must occur in nolonger than eight hundred nanoseconds, in order to assure reliable datatransmission. If we assume that a data driver capable of creatingelectrical signals which transition at this rate can be constructed,that the speed of light is three times ten to the eighth meters persecond, and that the velocity of propagation in track is approximatelyseventy percent of the speed of light, then a conservative limit on themaximum network length is about forty-two meters. This is an adequatelength for most applications. Assuming that the total length of abranched network might be as much as two such forty-two meter tracksections, a total capacitance added by the track itself could be as muchas another seven thousand picofarads, for a total load of seventeenthousand picofarads.

In order to effectively transmit data into such a network, a driver withsignificantly more power than a driver for the current RS-485 standardis required. To achieve a five volt transition, for a highly loadednetwork as described above, the driver is preferably capable ofsupplying at least one hundred milliamps continuously for the resistiveportion of the load, and at least one hundred milliamps additionallyduring the transition period, which will be absorbed by the capacitiveload. Thus the driver output current is preferably at least two hundredmilliamps to ensure adequate margin. A circuit design for a driver 6004which meets these criteria is illustrated in FIG. 17. It is important tonote that transitions faster than eight hundred nanoseconds will stillnot cause the network to fail, but will cause the current needed duringthe transient to increase, will cause excessive ringing at lightlyloaded track endpoints, and will substantially increase the spuriousradio frequency generated from the system. All of these effects areundesirable. At an eight hundred nanosecond transition time, mostspurious harmonics generated by the system fall well below the thirtymegahertz starting frequency for CE testing, and higher order harmonicsdo not have sufficient energy to violate the requirements.

In order to effectively propagate signals along the length of a track,the track's data conductors should have a low resistance per unitlength, ideally less than that needed to deliver one and one-half voltsof signal to all receivers as specified in the RS-485 standard. In ahighly loaded network (with all loads being at the end), this isapproximately nine one-hundredths ohms per foot. This includes theintermediate connectors, so the track conductor's resistance shouldideally be much lower than this figure. The track's inductive effectwill also contribute to signal degradation.

In order to compensate for the inductive effect of the track, limitedtermination may be provided at the endpoint of each branch. Thistermination is preferably not purely resistive, but rather compensatesonly for the inductive effect of the track. A circuit design for asuitable terminator 6008 is shown in FIG. 18. This circuit effectivelyclamps the voltage between the data+ and data−connections to plus orminus five volts. Any overshoot of the signal may thus be absorbed by ashunt regulator 6148 of FIG. 18. The terminator 6008 effectivelyterminates the line, without drawing power constantly from the datalines.

Recovering data from the track then becomes a matter of attaching (usingany of the commonly used attachment methods, e.g., spring clips) to theelectrical and mechanical attachment points of the track itself. Manyexamples of track lighting attachment are well known to those ofordinary skill in the art. One example is the Halo Power Track providedby Cooper Lighting.

Once both the power and data are available on a wire, for example, wecan use the network version of the light modules 100 described above, orany digitally controlled dimmer, to achieve individual control over thelighting unit. The data can correspond not only to light intensity, butalso to control effects, such as moving a yoke, gobo control, lightfocus, or the like. Moreover, the system can be used to controlnon-lighting devices that are RS-485 compliant.

It is further possible, by using this embodiment, to create deviceswhich can respond over the same data conductors or over a separate pair,using substantially similar drivers, possibly with added circuitry toallow the driver(s) to be electrically disconnected from the dataconductors during times when the device is not selected for a response,i.e., to allow bus sharing. Units can send status information to thedriver, or information can be provided to the units through other means,such as radio frequency, infrared, acoustic, or other signals.

Referring again to FIG. 17, a circuit design for the data driver 6004includes a connector 6012 through which power, which may nominally bepositive twelve volts of unregulated power, is delivered to the datadriver 6004. The power may be split into positive eight and one-halfvolts of unregulated supply and negative three and one-half volts ofregulated supply by a shunt regulator 6014 consisting of a resistor6016, a resistor 6018, and a transistor 6020. Decoupling may be providedby capacitors 6022, 6024 and 6028. The shunt regulator 6014 may be of astandard design familiar to analog circuit designers. The eight andone-half volt supply is further regulated to produce a five volt supplyby a voltage regulator 6030, which may be an LM78L05ACM voltageregulator available from National Semiconductor Corporation, SantaClara, Calif., and may be decoupled by capacitor 6032. The teachings ofthe data sheet for the LM78L05ACM are incorporated herein by reference.

The incoming RS-485 data stream may be received by the RS-485 receiverchip 6034 at pins 6038 and 6040. The data stream may be further bufferedby the receiver chip 6034 to produce a clean, amplified true andcomplement data signals at pins 6042 and 6044, respectively. Thesesignals are further buffered and inverted by buffer 6048 to produce trueand complement data signals with substantial drive capabilities at pins6050 and 6052 respectively. Each of these signals is then processed byan output amplifier. There are two output amplifiers 6054 and 6058,identical in design and function.

Each amplifier 6054 and 6058 draws power from the previously describedpower supplies, and both amplifiers share the bias voltage generatornetwork composed of resistors 6060, 6062 and 6064. Amplifier 6054 iscomposed of all parts to the left of this network on FIG. 17, whileamplifier 6058 is composed of all parts to the right of this biasnetwork. Only amplifier 6054 will be described, as amplifier 6058 issubstantially identical, with the exception that its input is aninverted copy of the input to amplifier 6054.

The bias network generates two bias voltages, nominally positive six andfour-tenths volts, and negative one and four-tenths volts, appearing atthe base of transistors 6068 and 6070, respectively. Transistor 6068 andresistor 6072 form a constant current source 6074, sourcing a current ofapproximately twenty milliamps from the collector of transistor 6068.Similarly transistor 6078 and resistor 6080 provide a current sink 6082to sink a current of twenty milliamps from the collector of transistor6078. Diodes 6010, 6084, 6088, 6090, 6092 and 6094 form a currentsteering network 6098 and steer the twenty milliamp currents alternatelyinto the incoming data line, or capacitor 6100 (through the one voltshunt regulator composed of transistor 6102, resistor 6104 and resistor6108 if the current is from transistor 6068). If the incoming data lineswitches from the low state of zero volts to the high state of positivefive volts, current sink 6082 will sink current from the incoming dataline, through diodes 6090 and 6092, because the voltage at the anode of6090 will be greater than the voltage at the anode of diode 6094. Diodes6084 and 6088 will be reverse-biased, and current will flow through 6010and the shunt regulator 6110 comprised of transistor 6102 and resistors6104 and 6108. The circuit node at the anode of diode 6094 will notimmediately follow the transition, as capacitor 6100 must slowly chargefrom the current provided by transistor 6068. Capacitor 6100 will chargeat a rate of approximately six and sixty-seven hundredths volts permicrosecond, and will reach approximately four volts approximately sevenhundred fifty nanoseconds later. At that time the voltage at thecollector of transistor 6068 will become large enough to forward biasdiodes 6084 and 6088, causing the current source 6074 to be steered intothe input data line. As long as this data line is held in a high state(at five volts), no more current will flow through diode 6010, the shuntregulator 6110 and into capacitor 6100. The cathode of diode 6010 willremain at approximately five and five-tenths volts until the data linechanges state to the low state of zero volts. During the switching asdescribed, transistor 6112 acts as a common collector current buffer andwill source as much current as is required into resistor 6114. Thiscurrent will flow into the output at pin 6118 of output device 6120. Thevoltage at the output will thus be a slowly rising signal, whose slopeis regulated by the charging of capacitor 6100 from current source 6074.A small base current will be drawn from transistor 6068 by transistor6112, but its effect on the transition timing will be negligible.

When the incoming data line transitions to the low state, diodes 6084,6088 and 6094 will be forward-biased, diodes 6090, 6092 and 6010 will bereverse-biased, and capacitor 6100 will discharge through diode 6094through the current sink 6082 at similar rates to the positivetransition described above. Current from current source 6074 will flowinto the data line, now held at zero volts. The voltage at the anode ofdiode 6094 will reach negative five-tenths volts, and current will againflow through 6090 and 6092, instead of diode 6094 and transistor 6078,completing the downward transition. During this period transistor 6129will sink as much current as necessary through resistor 6128, from theoutput at pin 6118 of device 6120, to cause it to follow the voltage atthe anode of diode 6094. A small base current will be drawn bytransistor 6129 from transistor, but its effect on the transition timingwill be negligible. Transistors 6130 and 6132 in combination withresistors 6114 and 6128 protect transistors 6112 and 6129 respectivelyin case of a short circuit at the output, limiting the maximum possibleoutput current (and hence the current through transistors 6112 and 6130)to approximately two hundred fifty milliamps.

The wave-shaping performed by this circuit can be implemented by avariety of different circuits. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 17 isonly one example of a circuit for producing a desirable wave shape. Anycircuit which slows the rising and falling transitions of the datasignal can be considered to be an implementation of a wave-shapingcircuit as disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 18, the terminating circuit is composed of a bridgerectifier 6134 composed of diodes 6138, 6140, 6142 and 6144 and a shuntregulator 6148 composed of resistors 6150, 6152 and transistors 6154 and6158. This circuit is a bi-directional voltage limiter and clamps thevoltage between the input terminals at approximately five andthree-tenths volts, regardless of the polarity of the applied input.Both the shunt regulator 6148 and the bridge rectifier 6134 are of astandard design, known by those familiar with analog circuit design.Capacitor 6150 improves the transient response of the voltage limiter.

Excess energy stored in a transmission line would normally cause voltageexcursions above five and three-tenths volts. The termination circuit6008 of FIG. 18 will absorb the excess energy as it clamps the voltageat the terminus of the transmission line to five and three-tenths volts.Approximately ninety-five percent of the reflected energy may beabsorbed by the circuit, and the resulting oscillation will be ofinsignificant amplitude.

The transistors disclosed herein may be of a conventional type, such asthose provided by Zetex. The diodes may be of industry standard type.Buffer 6048 may be of industry standard type, and may be 74HC04 type.The receiver chip 6034 may be a MAX490 receiver chip made by Maxim Inc.of Sunnyvale, Calif. Other receiver chips may be used.

The foregoing embodiments may reside in any number of differenthousings. Turning now to FIG. 19, there is shown an exploded view of anillumination unit of the present invention comprising a substantiallycylindrical body section 602, a light module 604, a conductive sleeve608, a power module 612, a second conductive sleeve 614, and anenclosure plate 618. It is to be assumed here that the light module 604and the power module 612 contain the electrical structure and softwareof light module 100 and power module 200, described above, or otherembodiments of the light module 100 or other power modules disclosedherein. Screws 622, 624, 626, 628 allow the entire apparatus to bemechanically connected. Body section 602, conductive sleeves 604 and 614and enclosure plate 618 are preferably made from a material thatconducts heat, such as aluminum. Body section 602 has an open end, areflective interior portion and an illumination end, to which module 604is mechanically affixed. Light module 604 is disk-shaped and has twosides. The illumination side (not shown) comprises a plurality of LEDsof different primary colors. The connection side holds an electricalconnector male pin assembly 632. Both the illumination side and theconnection side are coated with aluminum surfaces to better allow theconduction of heat outward from the plurality of LEDs to the bodysection 602. Likewise, power module 612 is disk shaped and has everyavailable surface covered with aluminum for the same reason. Powermodule 612 has a connection side holding an electrical connector femalepin assembly 634 adapted to fit the pins from assembly 632. Power module612 has a power terminal side holding a terminal 638 for connection to asource of DC power. Any standard AC or DC jack may be used, asappropriate.

Interposed between light module 602 and power module 612 is a conductivealuminum sleeve 608, which substantially encloses the space betweenmodules 602 and 612. As shown, a disk-shaped enclosure plate 618 andscrews 622, 624, 626 and 628 seal all of the components together, andconductive sleeve 614 is thus interposed between enclosure plate 618 andpower module 612. Once sealed together as a unit, the illuminationapparatus may be connected to a data network as described above andmounted in any convenient manner to illuminate an area. In operation,preferably a light diffusing means will be inserted in body section 602to ensure that the LEDs on light module 604 appear to emit a singleuniform beam of light.

Another embodiment of a light module 100 is depicted in FIG. 20. One ofthe advantages of the array 37 is that it can be used to construct anLED-based light that overcomes the problem of the need for differentfixtures for different lighting applications. In particular, in anembodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 20, an array of LEDs644, which can be the circular array 37 depicted in FIG. 8 or anotherarray, may be disposed on a platform 642 that is constructed to pluginto a fixture, such as an MR-16 fixture for a conventional halogenlamp. In other embodiments of the invention, the platform 642 may beshaped to plug, screw or otherwise connect into a power source with thesame configuration as a conventional light bulb, halogen bulb, or otherillumination source. In the embodiment of FIG. 20, a pair of connectors646 connect to a power source, such as an electrical wire, in the samemanner as connectors for a conventional halogen bulb in an MR-16fixture.

In an embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 21, the platform 642bearing the LED array 644 can be plugged into a conventional halogenfixture. Thus, without changing wiring or fixtures, a user can have LEDbased lights by simply inserting the modular platform 642. The user canreturn to conventional lights by removing the modular platform 642 andinstalling a conventional halogen bulb or other illumination source.Thus, the user can use the same fixtures and wiring for a wide varietyof lighting applications, including the LED system 120, in the variousembodiments disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 22, a schematic is provided for a circuit design for alight module 100 suitable for inclusion in a modular platform, such asthe platform 642 of FIG. 20. An LED array 644 consists of green, blueand red LEDs. A processor 16 provides functions similar to the processor16 described in connection with FIG. 6. Data input pin 20 provides dataand power to the processor 16. An oscillator 19 provides clockfunctions. The light module 100 includes other circuit elements forpermitting the processor 16 to convert incoming electrical signals thatare formatted according to a control protocol, such as a DMX-512protocol, into control signals for the LEDs of the array 644 in a mannersimilar to that disclosed in connection with other embodiments disclosedabove.

In a further embodiment of the invention, depicted in FIG. 23, a modularplatform 648 is provided on which a digitally controlled array 37 ofLEDs 15, which may be an LED system 120 of a light module 100 accordingto the other embodiments disclosed herein, is disposed.

The modular platform 648 may be made of clear plastic or similarmaterial, so that the platform 648 is illuminated to whatever color isprovided by the array 37. The modular platform 648 may includeextrusions 652 and intrusions 654, so that modular blocks can be formedthat interconnect to form a variety of three-dimensional shapes. A wall,floor, ceiling, or other object can be constructed of blocks, with eachblock being illuminated to a different color by that block's array 37 ofLEDs 15. The blocks 648 can be interconnected. Such an object can beused to create signage; that is, the individual blocks of such an objectcan be illuminated in the form of symbols, such as letters, numbers, orother designs. For example, a wall can be used as a color display orsign. Many different shapes of modular blocks 648 can be envisioned, ascan many different interlocking mechanisms. In fact, light modules 100may be disposed in a variety of different geometric configurations andassociated with a variety of lighting environments, as further disclosedherein.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an arrayed LED ismounted on a pan or tilt platform, in a manner similar to conventionaltheater lights. Known robotic lights shine a conventionally producedlight beam from a bulb or tube onto a pan or tilt mirror. The arrayedLEDs of the present invention may be placed directly on the pan or tiltplatform, avoiding the necessity of precisely aligning the light sourcewith the pan or tilt mirror. Thus, an adjustable pan/tilt beam effectmay be obtained similar to a mirror-based beam, without the mirror. Thisembodiment permits pan/tilt beam effects in more compact spaces thanpreviously possible, because there is not a need for a separationbetween the source and the mirror.

Also provided is an LED based construction tile, through which a wall,floor or ceiling may be built that includes an ability to change coloror intensity in a manner controlled by a microprocessor. The tile may bebased on modularity similar to toy plastic building blocks. Multicolortiles can be used to create a multicolor dance floor or shower, or afloor, wall or bathroom tile.

Also provided is a modular lighting system which allows the creation ofvarious illuminating shapes based on a limited number of subshapes. Inthis embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of light emittingsquares (or other geometric shapes) may be arranged into larger shapesin one, two or three dimensions. The modular blocks could communicatethrough physical proximity or attachment. Modular multicolor lightingblocks can be configured into different formats and shapes.

As described above, embodiments of the present invention may be utilizedin a variety of manners. By way of examples, the following discussionprovides different environments within which the LEDs of the presentinvention may be adapted for lighting and/or illumination.

Looking now at FIG. 24, a modular LED unit 4000, is provided forillumination within an environment. Modular unit 4000 comprises a lightmodule 4002, similar to item 120 discussed in connection with FIG. 1,and a processor 4004, similar to item 16 discussed in connection withFIG. 1. The light module 4002 may include, as illustrated in FIG. 25, anLED 4006 having a plurality of color-emitting semiconductor dies 4008for generating a range of radiation within a spectrum, for example, arange of frequencies within the visible spectrum. Each color-emittingdie 4008 preferably represents a primary color and is capable ofindividually generating a primary color of varying intensity. Whencombined, the primary colors from each of dies 4008 can produce aparticular color within the color spectrum. The processor 4004, on theother hand, may be provided for controlling an amount of electricalcurrent supplied to each of the semiconductor die 4008. Depending on theamount of electrical current supplied to each die, a primary color of acertain intensity may be emitted therefrom. Accordingly, by controllingthe intensity of the primary color produced from each die, the processor4004, in essence, can control the particular color illuminated from theLED 4006. Although FIG. 25 shows three color-emitting semiconductor dies4002, it should be appreciated that the use of at least two coloremitting dies may generate a range of radiation within a spectrum.

The modular unit 4000 may further include a mechanism (not shown) forfacilitating communication between a generator of control signals andthe light module 4002. In one embodiment, the mechanism may include aseparate transmitter and receiver, as discussed above in connection withFIG. 2. However, it should be appreciated that the transmitter andreceiver may be combined into one mechanism. The modular unit 4000 mayalso include a power module 4010, as discussed in connection with FIG.9, for providing an electrical current from a power source, for example,an electrical outlet or a battery, to the light module 4002. To permitelectrical current to be directed from the power module 4010 to thelight module 4002, an electrical connector, similar to complementarymale pin set 632 and female pin set 634 in FIG. 19, may be provided. Inthis manner, the electrical connector may be designed to removablycouple the light module 4002 to the power module 4010.

In an alternate embodiment, the light module 4002, as shown in FIG. 26,may include a plurality of LEDs 4006 illustrated in FIG. 25. Each LED4006 may be part of a light module 4002, which may be provided with adata communication link 4014, similar to item 500 described above inconnection with FIG. 2, for communication with a control signalgenerator, or, in certain embodiments of the invention, with other lightmodules 4002. In this manner, data such as the amount of electricalcurrent controlled by processor 4004 may be supplied to the plurality ofsemiconductor dies 4008 in each of the LEDs 4006, so that a particularcolor may be generated.

In another embodiment, the light module 4002, as shown in FIG. 27, mayinclude a plurality of conventional light emitting diodes (LEDs) 4016.The conventional LEDs 4016 may be representative of primary colors red,blue and green. Thus, when the primary color from each of the LED 4016is generated, the combination of a plurality of LEDs 4016 can produceany frequency within a spectrum. It should be understood, that similarto the semiconductor dies 4008, the intensity and/or illumination ofeach LED 4016 may be varied by processor 4004 to obtain a range offrequencies within a spectrum. To facilitate communication amongst theplurality of LEDs 4016 and with the processor 4004, data communicationlink 4014 may be provided.

The modular LED unit 4000, in certain embodiments, may be interconnectedto form larger lighting assemblies. In particular, the light module 4002may include LEDs 4006 or 4016 arranged linearly in series within a strip4020 (FIG. 28A). The LEDs 4006 or 4016 may also be arranged within a twodimensional geometric panel 4022 (FIG. 28B) or to represent athree-dimensional structure 4024 (FIG. 28C). It should be appreciatedthat the strip 4020, the geometric panel 4022 or the three-dimensionalstructure 4024 need not adhere to any particular design, and may beflexible, so as to permit the light module 4002 to conform to anenvironment within which it is placed.

In one embodiment of the invention, the strip 4020, the geometric panel4022 and the three-dimensional structure 4024 may be provided with acoupling mechanism (not shown) to permit coupling between modular LEDunits 4000. Specifically, the coupling mechanism may permit a pluralityof strips 4020 to be stringed together, or a plurality of geometricpanels 4022 to be connected to one another, or a plurality ofthree-dimensional structures 4024 to be coupled to one another. Thecoupling mechanism may also be designed to permit interconnection of oneof a strip 4020, a geometric panel 4022, and a three-dimensionalstructure 4024 to another of a strip 4020, a geometric panel 4022, and athree-dimensional structure 4024. The coupling mechanism can permiteither mechanical coupling or electrical coupling between the modularLED units 4000, but preferably permits both electrical and physicalcoupling between the modular LED units 4000. By providing an electricalconnection between the modular LED units 4000, power and data signalsmay be directed to and between the modular LED units 4000. Moreover,such connection permits power and data to be provided at one centrallocation for distribution to all of the modular LED units 4000. In anembodiment of the invention, data may be multiplexed with the powersignals in order to reduce the number of electrical connections betweenthe modular LED units 4000. The mechanical coupling, on the other hand,may simply provide means to securely connect the modular LED units 4000to one another, and such function may be inherent through the provisionof an electrical connection.

The modular LED unit 4000 of the present invention may be designed to beeither a “smart” or “dumb” unit. A smart unit, in one embodiment,includes a microprocessor incorporated therein for controlling, forexample, a desired illumination effect produced by the LEDs. The smartunits may communicate with one another and/or with a master controllerby way of a network formed through the mechanism for electricalconnection described above. It should be appreciated that a smart unitcan operate in a stand-alone mode, and, if necessary, one smart unit mayact as a master controller for other modular LED units 4000. A dumbunit, on the other hand, does not include a microprocessor and cannotcommunicate with other LED units. As a result, a dumb unit cannotoperate in a stand-alone mode and requires a separate master controller.

The modular LED unit 4000 may be used for illumination within a range ofdiverse environments. The manner in which the LED unit may be usedincludes initially placing the modular LED unit 4000 having a lightmodule 4002, such as those provided in FIGS. 25-27, within anenvironment, and subsequently controlling the amount of electricalcurrent to at least one LED, so that a particular amount of currentsupplied thereto (i.e., the semiconductor dies 4008 or the plurality ofconventional LEDs) generates a corresponding frequency within aspectrum, for instance, the visible spectrum.

An environment within which the modular LED unit 4000 may illuminateincludes a handheld flashlight 4029 (FIG. 29) or one which requires theuse of an indicator light. Examples of an environment which uses anindicator light include, but are not limited to, an elevator floorbutton, an elevator floor indication display or panel, an automobiledashboard, an automobile ignition key area, an automobile anti-theftalarm light indicator, individual units of a stereo systems, a telephonepad button 4030 (FIG. 30), an answering machine message indicator, adoor bell button, a light status switch, a computer status indicator, avideo monitor status indicator, and a watch. Additional environmentswithin which the modular LED unit 4000 may illuminate can include (i) adevice to be worn on a body, examples of which include, an article ofjewelry, an article of clothing, shoes, eyeglasses, gloves and a hat,(ii) a toy, examples of which include, a light wand 4031 (FIG. 31), atoy police car, fire truck, ambulance, and a musical box, and (iii) ahygienic product, examples of which include, a tooth brush 4032 (FIG.32) and a shaver.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a modular LEDunit 4000 having a plurality of LEDs 4006 or 4016 arranged linearly inseries within a strip 4020 may be also be used for illumination withinan environment. One such environment, illustrated in FIG. 33, includes awalkway 4033, for instance, an airplane aisle, a fashion show walkway ora hallway. When used in connection with a walkway, at least one strip4020 of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may be positioned along one side of thewalkway 4033 for use as a directional indicator.

Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 34, includes a cove 4034.When used in connection with a cove, at least one strip 4020 of LEDs4006 or 4016 may be positioned adjacent the cove 4034, such that thestrip of LEDs may illuminate the cove. In one embodiment, the strip 4020of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may be placed within a housing 40345, which housingis then placed adjacent the cove 4034.

Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 35, includes a handrail4035. When used in connection with a handrail, such as that in a darkmovie theater, at least one strip 4020 of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may bepositioned on a surface of the handrail 4035 to direct a user to thelocation of the handrail.

Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 36, includes a pluralityof steps 4036 on a stairway. When used in connection with a plurality ofsteps, at least on strip 4020 of LEDs 4006 or 4016 is positioned at anedge of a step 4036, so that at night or in the absence of light, a usermay be informed of the location of the step.

Another environment, illustrated in FIG. 37, includes a toilet bowl4037. When used in connection with a toilet bowl, at least one strip4020 of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may be positioned about a rim of the bowl 4037or the seat 40375, so that in the absence of light in the bathroom, auser may be informed of the location of the bowl or the seat.

Another environment, illustrated in FIG. 38, includes an elevated brakelight 4038 located in the rear of an automobile. When used in connectionwith an elevated brake light, at least one strip 4020 of LEDs 4006 or4016 may be positioned within a previously provided housing 40385 forthe brake light.

Another environment, illustrated in FIG. 39, includes a refrigeratordoor 4039. When used in connection with a refrigerator door, at leastone strip 4020 of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may be positioned on a refrigeratordoor handle 40395, so that in the absence of light in, for example, thekitchen, a user may quickly locate the handle for opening therefrigerator door 4039.

Another environment, illustrated in FIG. 40, includes a tree 4040. Whenused in connection with a tree, at least one strip 4020 of LEDs 4006 or4016 may be positioned on the tree 4040, so as to permit illuminationthereof. The tree 4040 could be a Christmas tree or other ornamentaltree, such as an artificial white Christmas tree. By strobing the LEDs4006 between different colors, the tree 4040 can be caused to changecolor.

Another environment, illustrated in FIG. 41, includes a building 4041.When used in connection with a building, at least one strip 4020 of LEDs4006 or 4016 may be positioned along a surface of the building 4041, sothat illumination of the LEDs may attract attention from an observer.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a modular LEDunit 4000 having a plurality of LEDs 4006 or 4016 arranged within ageometric panel 4022 may be also be used for illumination within anenvironment. One such environment, illustrated in FIG. 42, includes afloor 4042. When used in connection with a floor, at least one geometricpanel 4022 of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may be positioned within at least onedesignated area in the floor 4042 to provide illumination thereof.

Another environment within which a geometric panel 4022 of LEDs 4006 or4016 may be used includes a ceiling 4043, as illustrated in FIG. 43.When used in connection with a ceiling, at least one geometric panel4022 may be positioned within at least one designated area on theceiling 4043 to provide illumination thereof.

Another environment within which a geometric panel 4022 of LEDs 4006 or4016 may be used includes a vending machine 4044, as illustrated in FIG.44. When used in connection with a vending machine, at least onegeometric panel 4022 may be positioned posterior to a frontal display40445 of the vending machine, so as to provide illumination ofillustration on the frontal display.

Another environment within which a geometric panel 4022 of LEDs 4006 or4016 may be used includes an illuminating surface 4045, as illustratedin FIG. 45. When used in connection with an illuminating surface 4045,at least one geometric panel 4022 may be positioned posterior to thesurface to provide illumination of a graphical illustration on thesurface or illumination of an object placed on the surface. Examples ofsuch an illuminating surface may include an advertisement sign of thetype typically seen at an airport, or a transparent surface of a stand40455 for displaying an object 40458.

Another environment within which a geometric panel 4022 of LEDs 4006 or4016 may be used includes a displayment sign 4046, as illustrated inFIG. 46. When used in connection with a displayment sign, such as abillboard or a advertisement board, at least one geometric panel 4022may be positioned within a housing 40465 located, for example, in frontof the sign to provide illumination of illustration thereon.

Another environment within which a geometric panel 4022 of LEDs 4006 or4016 may be used includes a traffic light 4047, as illustrated in FIG.47. When used in connection with a traffic light, at least one geometricpanel 4022 may be positioned within a housing 40475 for at least one ofthe lights. It should be noted that on a conventional traffic light, ageometric panel 4022 may be needed for each of the three lights.However, since the modular LED unit of the present invention maygenerate a range of colors, including red, yellow and green, it may bethat a new traffic light might be designed to include placement for onlyone modular LED unit. A variety of different colors could be providedwithin each signal light, so that an adequate signal is provided fordifferent users, including those with red/green color blindness.

Another environment within which a geometric panel 4022 of LEDs 4006 or4016 may be used includes a directional display sign 4048, asillustrated in FIG. 48. When used in connection with a directionaldisplay sign, at least one geometric panel 4022 may be positioned withina housing 40485 for the directional display sign.

Another environment within which a geometric panel 4022 of LEDs 4006 or4016 may be used includes an information board 4049, as illustrated inFIG. 49. When used in connection with an information board, at least onegeometric panel 4022 may be positioned on a front side of the board4049, so that informational data may be provided to the reader. In oneembodiment of the invention, the information board includes, but is notlimited to, a traffic information sign, a silent radio 40495, ascoreboard, a price board, an electronic advertisement board, and alarge public television screen.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a modular LEDunit 4000 having a plurality of LEDs 4006 or 4016, arranged to representa three-dimensional structure 4024, may be also be used for illuminationwithin an environment. One such environment, illustrated in FIG. 50,includes a toy construction block 4050. When used in connection with atoy construction block, at least one three-dimensional structure 4024 ofLEDs 4006 or 4016 may be positioned on or within the toy constructionblock 4050 to provide illumination thereof It should be appreciated thatthe three-dimensional structure of LEDs can be design to represent anydesired three-dimensional object.

A further environment within which the three-dimensional structure 4024of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may be utilized includes, as shown in FIG. 51, anornamental display 4051. Since the three-dimensional structure 4024 ofLEDs, as indicated, can be designed to represent any three-dimensionalobject, the structure may be formed into the ornamental display 4051 ofinterest, so that illumination of the LEDs provides an illuminatedrepresentation of the object. Examples of an ornamental display 4051 caninclude a Christmas tree ornament, an animal-shaped figure, adiscotheque ball 40515, or any natural or man-made object capable ofbeing represented.

A further environment within which the three-dimensional structure 4024of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may be utilized includes an architectural glassblock 4052, as shown in FIG. 52, or large letters 4053, as shown in FIG.53. To utilize the three-dimensional structure 4024 in connection withthe glass block, at least one three-dimensional structure 4024 may bepositioned within the glass block 4052 for illumination thereof. Toutilize the three-dimensional structure 4024 in connection with thelarge letter 4053, at least one three-dimensional structure 4024 may bepositioned on the letter, or if the letter 4053 is transparent, withinthe letter.

A further environment within which the three-dimensional structure 4024of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may be utilized includes a traditional lightingdevice 4054, as shown in FIG. 54. To utilize the three-dimensionalstructure 4024 in connection with the traditional lighting device 4054,at least one three-dimensional structure 4024, in the shape of, forexample, a conventional light bulb 40545, may be positioned within asocket for receiving the conventional light bulb.

A further environment within which the three-dimensional structure 4024of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may be utilized includes a warning tower 4055, asshown in FIG. 55. To utilize the three-dimensional structure 4024 inconnection with the warning tower, at least one three-dimensionalstructure 4024 may be positioned on the tower 4055 to act as a warningindicator to high flying planes or distantly located vessels.

A further environment within which the three-dimensional structure 4024of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may be utilized includes a buoy 4056, as shown inFIG. 56. To utilize the three-dimensional structure 4024 in connectionwith the buoy, at least one three-dimensional structure 4024 may bepositioned on the buoy 4056 for illumination thereof.

A further environment within which the three-dimensional structure 4024of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may be utilized includes a ball 4057 or puck 40571,as shown in FIG. 57. To utilize the three-dimensional structure 4024 inconnection with the ball or puck, at least one three-dimensionalstructure 4024 may be positioned within the ball 4057 or puck 40571 toenhance visualization of the ball or puck.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, two or more ofthe modular LED unit 4000 having a plurality of LEDs 4006 or 4016,arranged linearly in a strip 4020, in a geometric panel 4022 or as athree-dimensional structure 4024, may be used for illumination within anenvironment. One such environment, illustrated in FIG. 58, includes anornamental display 4058. When used in connection with an ornamentaldisplay, at least one strip 4020 of LEDs 4006 or 4016 and one of ageometric panel 4022 and three-dimensional structure 4024 of LEDs 4006or 4016 may be positioned along a surface to provide illumination of theornamental display. Examples of an ornamental display 4058 can include aChristmas tree ornament 40585, an animal-shaped figure, a discothequeball, or any natural or man-made object capable of being represented.

Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 59, includes a bowlingalley 4059. When used in connection with a bowling alley, one of a strip4020, a geometric panel 4022, and a three-dimensional structure 4024 ofLEDs 4006 or 4016 may be positioned along a lane 40595, and one of astrip 4020, a geometric panel 4022, and a three-dimensional structure4024 of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may be positioned on a ceiling, a floor or awall of the bowling alley.

Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 60, includes a theatricalsetting. When used in connection with a theatrical setting, one of astrip 4020, a geometric panel 4022, and a three-dimensional structure4024 of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may be positioned on a ceiling, a floor, or awall of a theater 4060, and one of a strip 4020, a geometric panel 4022,and a three-dimensional structure 4024 of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may bepositioned on the remainder of the ceiling, the floor or the wall of thetheater.

Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 61, includes a swimmingpool 4061. When used in connection with a swimming pool, one of a strip4020, a geometric panel 4022, and a three-dimensional structure 4024 ofLEDs 4006 or 4016 may be positioned on a floor or a wall of the swimmingpool 4061, and one of a strip 4020, a geometric panel 4022, and athree-dimensional structure 4024 of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may be positionedon the other of the floor or the wall of the swimming pool.

Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 62, includes a cargo bay4062 of a spacecraft 40625. When used in connection with the cargo bayof a spacecraft, one of a strip 4020, a geometric panel 4022, and athree-dimensional structure 4024 of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may be positionedon a ceiling, a floor, or a wall of the cargo bay 4062, and one of astrip 4020, a geometric panel 4022, and a three-dimensional structure4024 of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may be positioned on the remainder of theceiling, the floor or the wall of the cargo bay 4062.

Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 63, includes an aircrafthangar 4063. When used in connection with an aircraft hangar, one of astrip 4020, a geometric panel 4022, and a three-dimensional structure4024 of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may be positioned on a ceiling, a floor, or awall of the hangar 4063, and one of a one of a strip 4020, a geometricpanel 4022, and a three-dimensional structure 4024 of LEDs 4006 or 4016may be positioned on the remainder of the ceiling, the floor or the wallof the hangar.

Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 64, includes a warehouse4064. When used in connection with a warehouse, one of a strip 4020, ageometric panel 4022, and a three-dimensional structure 4024 of LEDs4006 or 4016 may be positioned on a ceiling, a floor, or a wall of thewarehouse 4064, and one of a one of a strip 4020, a geometric panel4022, and a three-dimensional structure 4024 of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may bepositioned on the remainder of the ceiling, the floor or the wall of thewarehouse.

Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 65, includes a subwaystation 4065. When used in connection with a subway station, one of astrip 4020, a geometric panel 4022, and a three-dimensional structure4024 of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may be positioned on a ceiling, a floor, or awall of the subway station 4065, and one of a one of a strip 4020, ageometric panel 4022, and a three-dimensional structure 4024 of LEDs4006 or 4016 may be positioned on the remainder of the ceiling, thefloor or the wall of the subway station.

Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 66, includes a marina6066. When used in connection with a marina, one of a strip 4020, ageometric panel 4022, and a three-dimensional structure 4024 of LEDs4006 or 4016 may be positioned on a buoy 40662, a dock 40664, a lightfixture 40666, or a boathouse 40668, and one of a one of a strip 4020, ageometric panel 4022, and a three-dimensional structure 4024 of LEDs4006 or 4016 may be positioned on the remainder of the buoy, the dock,the light fixture, or the boathouse.

Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 67, includes a fireplace4067. When used in connection with a fireplace, one of a strip 4020, ageometric panel 4022, and a three-dimensional structure 4024 of LEDs4006 or 4016 may be positioned on a simulated fire log 40675, a wall, ora floor of the fireplace 4067, and one of a one of a strip 4020, ageometric panel 4022, and a three-dimensional structure 4024 of LEDs4006 or 4016 may be positioned on the remainder of the simulated log,the wall, or the floor of the fireplace, such that when frequencieswithin the spectrum are generated, an appearance of fire is simulated.

Another such environment, illustrated in FIG. 68, includes an underside4068 of a car 40685. When used in connection with the underside of acar, one of a strip 4020, a geometric panel 4022, and athree-dimensional structure 4024 of LEDs 4006 or 4016 may be positionedon the underside of the car to permit illumination of a road surfaceover which the car passes.

Although certain specific embodiments of the light module 4002 in themodular LED unit 4000 have been discussed in connection with particularenvironments, it should be understood that it would be apparent to thoseof skilled in the art to use light modules similar to those discussedwithin many different environments, as well as combinations of lightmodule and environment not yet discussed, but readily conceivable.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that PWM current control ofLEDs to produce multiple colors may be incorporated into countlessenvironments, with or without networks. Certain embodiments of theinvention are described herein, but it should be understood that otherembodiments are within the scope of the invention.

Another use of the present invention is as a light bulb. Usingappropriate rectifier and voltage transformation means, the entire powerand light modules may be placed in any traditional lightbulb housing,such as an Edison-mount (screw-type) light bulb housing. Each bulb canbe programmed with particular register values to deliver a particularcolor bulb, including white. The current regulator can be preprogrammedto give a desired current rating and thus preset light intensity.Naturally, the lightbulb may have a transparent or translucent sectionthat allows the passage of light into the ambient.

Referring to FIG. 69, in one embodiment of the invention a smart lightbulb 701 is provided. The smart light bulb may include a housing 703 inwhich are disposed a processor 705 and an illumination source 707. Thehousing may include a connector 709 for connection to a power source.The connection may also serve as a connection to a data source, such asthe data connection 500 disclosed in connection with certain otherembodiments herein. The processor may be a processor 16 such as thatdisclosed elsewhere herein. The smart light bulb 701 may form oneembodiment of a light module 100 that may be used in the variousembodiments disclosed or encompassed herein.

In an embodiment the housing 703 may be configured to resemble the shapeof housing for a conventional illumination source, such as a halogenlight bulb. In one embodiment, depicted in FIG. 69, connector 709 isconfigured to fit into a conventional halogen socket, and theillumination source 707 is an LED system, such as the LED system 120disclosed above in connection with FIG. 1.

Processor 705 may be similar to the processor 16 disclosed in connectionwith the discussion of FIG. 1 above and further described elsewhereherein. That is, in one embodiment of the invention, the smart lightbulb 701 consists of a light module 100 such as that disclosed above.However, it should be understood that the smart light bulb may take avariety of other configurations. For example, the housing 703 could beshaped to resemble an incandescent light bulb, in which case theconnector 709 could be a set of threads for screwing into a conventionalincandescent light slot, and the illumination source 707 could be anincandescent light source. The housing 703 could be configured toresemble any conventional light bulb or fixture, such as a headlamp, aflashlight bulb, an alarm light, a traffic light, or the like. In fact,the housing 703 could take any geometric configuration appropriate for aparticular illumination or display environment.

The processor 705 may be used to control the intensity of theillumination source, the color of the illumination source 707 and otherfeatures or elements included in the housing 703 that are capable ofcontrol by a processor. In an embodiment of the invention the processor705 controls the illumination source 707 to produce any color in thespectrum, to strobe rapidly between different colors, and to otherwiseproduce any desired illumination condition. Illumination sources thatcould disposed in a housing 703 and made subject to the processor 705could include any type of illumination source, including the range ofsuch sources disclosed above.

In an embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 70, the smart lightbulb 701 may be equipped with a receiver 711 and/or a transmitter 713,which may be connected to the processor 705. The receiver 711 may becapable of receiving data signals and relaying them to the processor705. It should be understood that the receiver 711 may be merely aninterface to a circuit or network connection, or may be a separatecomponent capable of receiving other signals. Thus, the receiver mayreceive signals by a data connection 715 from another device 717. In anembodiment of the invention, the other device is a laptop computer, thedata connection is a DMX data track, and the data is sent according tothe DMX-512 protocol to the smart light bulb 701. Processor 705 thenprocesses the data to control the illumination source 707 in a mannersimilar to that described above in connection with other embodiments ofthe invention. The transmitter 713 may be controlled by the processor705 to transmit the data from the smart light bulb 701 over the dataconnection 715 to another device 717. The other device may be anothersmart light bulb 701, a light module 100 such as disclosed above, or anyother device capable of receiving a signal data connection 715. Thus,the data connection 715 could be any connection of among the typesdisclosed above. That is, any use of the electromagnetic spectrum orother energy transmission mechanism for the communication link couldprovide the data connection 715 between the smart light bulb 701 andanother device 717. The other device 717 could be any device capable ofreceiving and responding to data, such as an alarm system, a VCR, atelevision, an entertainment device, a computer, an appliance, or thelike.

Referring to FIG. 71, the smart light bulb 701 could be part of acollection of smart light bulbs similarly configured. One smart lightbulb could through use of the transmitter 711 transmit data to thereceiver 713 of one or more other smart light bulbs 701. In this manner,a plurality of smart light bulbs 701 may be established in amaster/slave arrangement, whereby the master smart light bulb 701controls the operation of one or more other slave smart light bulbs 701.The data connection 715 between the smart light bulbs 701 could be anytype of data connection 715, including any of those described inconnection with FIG. 70.

The smart light bulb 701 may be part of a network of such smart lightbulbs 701 as depicted in FIG. 72. Through use of the transmitter 711 andthe receiver 713 of each of the smart light bulbs 701, as well as theprocessor 705, each smart light bulb 701 in a network 718 may send andreceive queries over a data connection 715 similar to that disclosed inconnection with the description of FIG. 70. Thus, the smart light bulb701 can determine the configuration of the network in which the smartlight bulb 701 is contained. For example, the smart light bulb 701 canprocess signals from another smart light bulb 701 to determine which ofthe light bulbs is the master and which is the slave in a master/slaverelationship.

Additional processing capabilities may be included in each smart lightbulb 701. For example, each smart light bulb 701 may be made responsiveto an external data signal for illumination control. For example, in theembodiment depicted in FIG. 73, a light sensor 719 may be disposed inproximity to a window 722 for sensing external illumination conditions.The light sensor 719 may detect changes in the external illuminationconditions and send a signal 723 to one or more smart light bulbs 701 toalter the illumination in an interior space 725, to compensate for orotherwise respond to the external illumination conditions sensed by thelight sensor 719. Thus, the room lights in the exterior space 725 can bemade to turn on or change color at sunrise or sunset, in response tochanges in the external illumination conditions at those times. Thelight sensor 719 could also be made to measure the color temperature andintensity of the external environment and to send a signal 723 thatinstructs the light module 701 to produce a similar color temperatureand intensity. Thus, the room lights could mimic an external sunset withan internal sunset in the internal space 725. Thus, the smart light bulb701 maybe used in a wide variety of sensor and feedback applications asdisclosed in connection with other embodiments described herein.

Referring to FIG. 74, in another embodiment a plurality of smart lightbulbs 701 may be disposed on a data network 727. The data network maycarry signals from a control device 729. The control device may be anydevice capable of sending a signal to a data network 727. The controldevice in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 74 is an electrocardiogram(EKG) machine. The EKG machine 729 has a plurality of sensors 731 thatmeasure the electrical activity of the heart of a patient 733. The EKGmachine 729 may be programmed to send control data over the network 727to the smart light bulb 701 in instances in which the EKG machine 729measures particular states of the electrical activity measured by thesensors 731. Thus, for example, the light bulbs could illuminate with aparticular color, such as green, for normal cardiac activity, but couldchange to a different color to reflect particular cardiac problems. Forexample, arrhythmia could be reflected by a flashing red illuminationsignal to the smart light bulb 701, a rapid pulse could be reflected bya yellow signal to the smart light bulbs 701, or the like.

A smart light bulb such as depicted in FIG. 70 can be programmed tooperate in a stand alone mode as well. Thus, preprogrammed instructionsmay cause the smart light bulb 701 to change colors at intensities in adesigned way; thus, the light may be designed to shine a particularcolor at a particular time of day, or the like. The smart light bulb 701may also include algorithms for altering the illumination from the smartlight bulb 701 to reflect the state of the smart light bulb 701. Forexample, the light bulb could display a particular illumination patternif the LED system 707 is near the end of its life, if there is a problemwith the power supply, or the like.

The present invention may be used as a general indicator of any givenenvironmental condition. FIG. 75 shows the general functional blockdiagram for such an apparatus. Shown within FIG. 75 is also an exemplarychart showing the duty cycles of the three color LEDs during anexemplary period. As one example of an environmental indicator, thepower module can be coupled to an inclinometer. The inclinometermeasures general angular orientation with respect to the earth's centerof gravity. The inclinometer's angle signal can be converted through anA/D converter and coupled to the data inputs of the processor 16 in thepower module. The processor 16 can then be programmed to assign eachdiscrete angular orientation a different color through the use of alookup table associating angles with LED color register values. Anotherindicator use is to provide an easily readable visual temperatureindication. For example, a digital thermometer can be connected toprovide the processor 16 a temperature reading. Each temperature will beassociated with a particular set of register values, and hence aparticular color output. A plurality of such “color thermometers” can belocated over a large space, such as a storage freezer, to allow simplevisual inspection of temperature over three dimensions.

In another embodiment of the invention, the signal-generating device maybe a detector of ambient conditions, such as a light meter orthermometer. Thus, lighting conditions may be varied in accordance withambient conditions. For example, arrayed LEDs may be programmed toincrease room light as the external light entering the room from the sundiminishes at the end of the day. LEDs may be programmed to compensatefor changes in color temperature as well, through a feedback mechanism.

When coupled to transducers, many embodiments of the present inventionare possible that associate some ambient condition with an LED system.As used herein, the term “transducer” should be understood to encompassall methods and systems for converting a physical quantity into anelectrical signal. Electrical signals, in turn, can be manipulated byelectronic circuits, digitized by analog to digital converters, and sentfor processing to a processor, such as a microcontroller ormicroprocessor. The processor could then send out information to dictatethe characteristics of the light emitted by the LED system of thepresent invention. In such manner, physical conditions of theenvironment involving external forces, temperature, particle number, andelectromagnetic radiation, for example, can be made to correspond to aparticular LED system. We also note that other systems involving liquidcrystal, fluorescence, and gas discharge could also be used.

In a specific embodiment, a temperature transducer such as athermocouple, thermistor, or integrated circuit (IC) temperature sensorand the light module 100 of the present invention can be used to make acolor thermometer. As mentioned above, such a thermometer would emit aparticular set of colors from the LED system to indicate the ambienttemperature. Thus the inside of an oven or freezer having such an LEDsystem could emit different colored lights to indicate when certaintemperatures have been reached.

FIG. 76 shows a general block diagram relevant to the color thermometer.Item 1000 is an IC temperature sensor like the LM335. This is atwo-terminal temperature sensor with an accuracy of approximately.+−0.1.degree. C. over the range −55.degree. C. to 125.degree. C.Further information pertaining to the LM335 may be found in themonograph The Art of Electronics, by Paul Horowitz and Winfield Hill.The entire disclosure of such monograph is hereby incorporated. Item1001 is an analog to digital (A/ID) converter that converts the voltagesignal from the IC temperature sensor to binary information. Asmentioned above, this is fed to a microcontroller or microprocessor 1002such as a MICROCHIP brand PIC16C63 or other processor, such as theprocessor 16 mentioned above. Output from the microcontroller ormicroprocessor 1002 proceeds to a switch 1003 which can be a highcurrent/voltage Darlington driver, part no. DS2003, available from theNational Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif. as mentionedabove. Element 1003 switches current from LED system 1004. Shown withinFIG. 76 as item 1009 is also an exemplary chart showing the duty cyclesof the three color LEDs during an exemplary period.

The enlargement of FIG. 76 is a general diagram that is also applicableto other embodiments that follow. Each of these embodiments are similarto the extent that they associate the different environmental conditionsmentioned above with an LED system. The different embodiments differfrom each other because they possess different transducers appropriateto the environmental condition that is being indicated. Thus, in theembodiments that follow, the temperature sensor 1000 is replaced byanother appropriate transducer.

The power module (not shown in FIG. 76) can be included in the colorthermometer. The signal from the temperature transducer 1000 can beconverted by the AID converter 1001 and coupled to the data inputs ofthe microcontroller 1002 in the power module. The microcontroller canthen be programmed to assign a range of temperatures to a differentcolor through the use of a lookup table associating temperatures withLED color register values.

In another specific embodiment, a force transducer such as adifferential transformer, strain gauge, or piezoelectric device and theLED system of the present invention can be used to associate a range offorces with a corresponding LED system. FIG. 77 shows a colorspeedometer 1010 having a force transducer 1011, such as a linearvariable differential transformer (LVDT), coupled to an A/D converter1017 which is in turn coupled to an LED system 1012 of the presentinvention. A housing 1013 encloses the force transducer 1011 and the LEDsystem 1012. The housing possesses a fastener to affix the housing andcontents to a rotating object like a bicycle wheel 1015. The fastenershown in FIG. 77 is a clamp 1016, although other fasteners such asscrews, or rivets could also be used that permit the color speedometerto become affixed to a wheel rim 1018.

Such a color speedometer 1010 could be used to “see” the angular speedof various rotating objects Thus, as in the example of FIG. 77, the LEDsystem 1012 coupled to the force transducer 1011 could be mounted to thebicycle wheel 1015 at a distance r from the center of the wheel 1015. Areference mass m in the transducer (not shown) could exert a forcem.omega..sup.2 .tau. from which the angular speed omega. could beascertained. Each distinct force or range of forces would result in aparticular color being emitted from the LED system 1012. Thus the wheelrim 1018 would appear in different colors depending on the angularspeed.

Another specific embodiment comprising a force transducer appears inFIG. 78 where an color inclinometer 1020 is shown. The inclinometer 1020possesses a force transducer 1021 such as a linear variable differentialtransformer (LVDT) coupled to an A/D converter 1027 which is in turncoupled to an LED system 1022 of the present invention. A housing (notshown) encloses the force transducer 1021 and the LED system 1022. Thehousing possesses a fastener (not shown) to affix the housing andcontents to an object whose inclination one wants to determine such asan airplane. The fastener could, for example, consist of screws, clamps,rivets, or glue to secure the inclinometer 1020 to an airplane console,for example.

A power module (not shown) can be coupled to the inclinometer. Theinclinometer 1020 measures general angular orientation with respect tothe earth's center of gravity. The inclinometer's angle signal can beconverted by the A/D converter 1027 and coupled to the data inputs ofthe microcontroller in the power module. The microcontroller can then beprogrammed to assign angular orientations to different color through theuse of a lookup table associating angles with LED color register values.The color inclinometer may be used for safety, such as in airplanecockpits, or for novelty, such as to illuminate the sails on a sailboatthat sways in the water.

In another embodiment, the light module 100 of the present invention canbe used in a color magnometer as an indicator of magnetic fieldstrength. FIG. 79 shows such a magnometer 1036 having a magnetic fieldtransducer 1031 coupled to an LED system 1032 via an A/D converter 1037.The magnetic field transducer can include any of a Hall-effect probe,flip coil, or nuclear magnetic resonance magnometer.

The magnetic field transducer 1031 changes a magnetic field strengthinto an electrical signal. This signal is, in turn, converted to binaryinformation by the A/D converter 1037. The information can then be sentas input to the microcontroller controlling the LED system 1032 to causeto shine lights of various colors that correspond to the magnetic fieldstrength. This embodiment could find wide use in the fields of geologyand prospecting, as well as in the operation of instruments that rely onmagnetic fields to operate such as magnetic resonance devices,magnetrons, and magnetically focused electron devices.

In another embodiment, the light module 100 of the present invention canbe used for a smoke alert system shown in FIG. 80. The smoke alertsystem 1040 comprises a smoke detector 1041, either of the ionization oroptical (photoelectric) variety, electrically coupled to an LED system1042 of one embodiment of the present invention via an A/D converter(not shown). The LED system 1042 need not be proximal to the detector1041. In particular, the smoke detector 1041 can be in one room where afire might ignite, while the LED system 1042 might be in another roomwhere it would be advantageous to be alerted, the bedroom or bathroomfor example.

As those of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, the smokedetector 1041 can be of either of two types: ionization or optical(photoelectric). If the latter is used, a detection chamber in the smokedetector 1041 is employed whose shape normally prevents a lightsensitive element (e.g., a photocell) from “seeing” a light source(e.g., an LED). When smoke from a fire enters the chamber, it scatterslight so that the light sensitive element can now detect the light. In asmoke detector 1041 employing ionization technology, radioactivematerials ionize air molecules between a pair of electrodes in adetection chamber. The resultant charged air molecules permit a currentto be conducted between the electrodes. The presence of smoke in thechamber, however, diminishes the amount of charged air particles andthus diminishes the current. In both types of smoke detectors,therefore, the strength of a current is indicative of the concentrationof smoke particles in the detection chamber. The strength of thiscurrent can be converted by the A/D converter into binary informationthat can be sent to the microprocessor controlling the LED system 1042.By using a look-up table, this binary information can dictate the rangeof frequencies, corresponding to various smoke concentrations, that isemitted from the LED system 1042. For example, a green or red light canbe emitted if the concentration of smoke particles is below or above acertain threshold. This invention could alert a person to a potentialfire even if that person is incapable of hearing the smoke detector'salarm. (The person may be deaf, listening to music, or in the shower,for example.) Also, conventional detectors convey only two pieces ofinformation: the alarm is either off, or, if sufficient smoke is in thedetection chamber, on. The smoke alert system of the present inventionwould also convey information about the amount of smoke present byemitting characteristic colors.

Smoke is but one type of particle whose concentration can be indicatedby the light module 100 of the present invention. With the use of otherparticle detectors such as an ionization chamber, Geiger counter,scintillator, solid-state detector, surface-barrier detector, Cerenkovdetector, or drift chamber, concentrations of other types of particlessuch as alpha particles, electrons, or energetic photons represented byx-rays or gamma rays, can be manifested by different colored LED lights.

In another specific embodiment of the present invention, the lightmodule 100 of the present invention can be used to build an electronicpH color meter for indicating the acidity of solutions by displayingcolored lights. FIG. 81 depicts a color pH meter 1050 comprising a pHmeter 1051 electrically coupled to an LED system 1052 via an AIDconverter (not shown).

The electronic pH meter can be of a variety known to those of ordinaryskill in the art. A possible example of an electronic pH meter that canbe used is Corning pH Bench Meter Model 430, which provides digitalmeasurements and automatic temperature compensation. The meter producesan analog recorder output, which can be converted to a digital signal bythe A/D converter. The signal can then be sent to a microcontrollercontrolling the LED system 1052 which can emit colors corresponding tovarious pH levels.

Besides the aforementioned pH meter, meters having ion-specificelectrodes that produce an analog signal corresponding to theconcentration of a particular species in solution can also be used.These meters measure voltages developed between a reference electrode,typically silver-coated with silver chloride immersed in a concentratedsolution of potassium chloride, and an indicator electrode. Theindicator electrode is separated from an analyte by a membrane throughwhich the analyte ions can diffuse. It is the nature of the membranethat characterizes the type of ion-specific electrode. Electrode typesinclude glass, liquid-ion exchanger, solid state, neutral carrier,coated wire, field effect transistor, gas sensing, or a biomembrane. Thereference electrode can communicate with the solution whoseconcentration one is trying to determine via a porous plug or gel. Asdescribed above, an embodiment of an LED system of the present inventioncan be electrically coupled to such meters to associate a particular ionconcentration with the emission of light of various colors.

In another specific embodiment, the light module 100 of the presentinvention could be used to produce a security system to indicate thepresence of an object. FIG. 82 shows such a system comprising anidentification badge 1060, an LED system 1061 of the present invention,a transmitter and receiver 1062 together with an electromagneticradiation detector 1066 coupled to an A/D converter (not shown), and asecurity clearance network 1063 having a receiver and transmitter 1064of electromagnetic signals to the badge 1060.

The security clearance network 1063 responsive to the transmitter andreceiver 1062 may identify the individual as having the appropriatesecurity clearance for the room at a given time. The badge 1060 itselfmay include the transmitter and receiver 1062, the electromagneticradiation detector 1066, coupled to the AID converter, and the LEDsystem 1061 responsive to the security clearance network 1063, so thatthe badge 1060 changes color depending on whether the individual hasclearance to be in proximity to a particular receiver or not. The IDbadge 1060 with the LED system 1061 on it may change color in responseto a control network depending on whether the person wearing it is“authorized” to be in a certain area, so that others will know if thatperson is supposed to be there. This could also tell others if theperson must be “escorted” around the area or can roam freely. Theadvantages include time of day based control, zone based control and theconcept of moving control zones or rapid zone modification. For example,maintenance staff could be allowed in an area only when another objectis not present. For example, in a military aircraft hangar, cleaningmight be allowed only when the plane is not there. As another example,security zones in a factory may be used for the purpose of keepingpeople safe, but when the factory is shut down, much larger areas may beaccessible.

In another embodiment, the light module 100 of the present invention canbe used to change the lighting conditions of a room. FIG. 83 depicts anelectromagnetic radiation detector 1071 such as a photodiode,phototransistor, photomultiplier, channel-plate intensifier,charge-coupled devices, or intensified silicon intensifier target (ISIT)coupled to an A/D converter (not shown), which in turn is electricallycoupled to an LED system 1072.

The light module 100 may be programmed to increase room light as theexternal light entering the room from the sun diminishes at the end ofthe day and to compensate for changes in color temperature as well,through a feedback mechanism. In particular, a user may measure thecolor temperature of particular lighting conditions with theelectromagnetic radiation detector 1071, identify the signal from theelectromagnetic radiation detector 1071 under desired conditions,connect the microprocessor of the present invention to theelectromagnetic radiation detector 1071 and strobe the LED system 1072of the present invention through various lighting conditions until thesignal from the electromagnetic radiation detector 1071 indicates thatthe desired conditions have been obtained. By periodically strobing theLED system 1072 and checking the signal from the electromagneticradiation detector 1071, the light module 100 may be programmed tomaintain precise lighting conditions in a room.

In another embodiment, room or telephone lights could help identify thesource or intent of a telephone call. FIG. 84 shows a color telephoneindicator 1080 comprising an LED system 1082 of the present invention,an output port 1083 that can be either serial or parallel and aconnection wire 1084 connecting the system to a caller ID box 1085.

By emitting a characteristic color, it would be possible to determinewhence a telephone call is being placed. Thus, one could program thelight module 100 to cause the LED system 1082 to emit a red light, forexample, if the call is being placed from a certain telephone.Alternatively, a caller's wish to designate a call as being urgent couldbe conveyed to a receiver by a particular color display. Thus, one couldprogram the light module 100 to cause the LED system 1082 to emit a redlight, for example, if a caller has designated the call to be anemergency. Still another telephone application involves displaying arange of colors to indicate to the receiver the length of time that acaller has been on hold. For example, the LED system 1082 could emit agreen, amber, or red light depending on whether the caller has been onhold for less than one minute, between one and two minutes, and morethan two minutes, respectively. This last feature would be especiallyuseful if the telephone has more than one line, and it is important tokeep track of various people who have been put on hold.

The foregoing disclosure has dealt with physical conditions that couldbe indicated by using the LED system of the present invention. Alsocapable of being indicated in this manner are other such conditionswhich include acceleration, acoustic, altitude, chemical, density,displacement, distance, capacitance, charge, conduction, current, fieldstrength, frequency, impedance, inductance, power, resistance, voltage,heat, flow, friction, humidity, level, light, spectrum, mass, position,pressure, torque, linear velocity, viscosity, wind direction, and windspeed.

In an embodiment of the invention, the signal-generating device is aremote control of a conventional type used to control electronic devicesthrough radio frequency or infrared signals. The remote control includesa transmitter, control switches or buttons, and a microprocessor andcircuit responsive to the controls that causes the transmitter totransmit a predetermined signal. In this embodiment of the invention,the microprocessor or microprocessors that control the LEDs is connectedto a receiver via a circuit and is capable of processing and executinginstructions from the remote control according to the transmittedsignal. The remote control may include additional-features, such asilluminated buttons or controls that are formed of LEDs and that changecolor or intensity in correspondence to the change in the signal sentfrom the remote control. Thus a lever that is depressed to cause thecolor of a controlled room light to strobe from red to violet may itselfstrobe in correspondence to the room light. This effect permits the userto control lights in conditions where the actual LEDs may not bevisible, or where interference from other sources makes the true colorof the controlled LED difficult to see.

In other embodiments of the invention, the input device for the signalsthat control the microprocessor may be a light switch for control andmood setting. In particular, the physical mechanism of the light switch,such as a dial, slide bar, lever or toggle, may include one or more LEDsthat are responsive to the external signal generated by the switch, sothat using the switch to change a microprocessor controlled array ofLEDs, such as room lights, causes the switch itself to change colors ina way that matches the changes in the room. The signal could be used tocontrol a multi-color light, monitor, television, or the like. Anycontrol switch, dial, knob or button that changes color in associationwith the output light that is controlled by the same is within the scopeof the present invention.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the input control devicemay constitute a badge, card or other object associated with anindividual that is capable of transmitting a radio frequency, infrared,or other signal to a receiver that controls the microprocessor thatcontrols the arrayed LEDs of the present invention. The badge thusconstitutes an interface to the color settings in a room. The badge orcard may be programmed to transmit signals that reflect the personallighting preferences of the individual to the microprocessor, so thatroom lights or other illumination may be changed, in color or intensity,when the person is in proximity to the receiver for the lights. Thedesired lighting environment conditions are automatically reproduced viathe lighting network in the room. The badge could also include otherdata associated with the individual, such as music preferences,temperature preferences, security preferences and the like, so that thebadge would transmit the data to receivers associated with networkedelectronic components that are responsive to the signals. Thus, bywalking into a room, the individual could cause the lights, music andtemperature to be changed automatically by microprocessors controllingarrayed LEDs or other lights, a compact disc player or similar musicsource, and a thermostat.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the arrayed LEDs may beplaced in the floor, ceiling or walls of an elevator, and the LEDs maybe made responsive to electrical signals indicating the floor. Thus, thecolor of the light in the elevator (or of a floor, ceiling or wall litby the light) may be varied according to the floor of the elevator.

In another embodiment of the present invention, depicted in FIG. 85, thesignal-generating device 504 may be a generator of a television, stereo,or other conventional electronic entertainment signal. That is, thelighting control signal can be embedded in any music, compact disc,television, videotape, video game, computer web site, cybercast or otherbroadcast, cable, broadband or other communications signal. Thus, forexample, the signal for the microprocessor may be embedded into atelevision signal, so that when the television signal is processed bythe receiver, a microprocessor processes certain portions of thebandwidth of the television signal for signals relating to the roomlights. In this embodiment, the color and intensity of room lights, aswell as other lighting effects, may be directly controlled through atelevision signal. Thus, a television signal may instruct the roomlights to dim at certain points during the presentation, to strobe todifferent colors at other points, and to flash at other points. Thesignals are capable of controlling each LED, so that a wide variety ofeffects, such as those more particularly described herein, may beobtained. Among other things, selected color washes may enhance visualeffects during certain television or movie scenes. For example, theexplosion scene in a movie or on a computer game, could cause lights inthe room to flash a sequence or change to a specified color. A sunset ina movie scene could be imitated by a sunset generated by the roomlights. Alternatively, a music CD, DVD disk, audio tape, or VHS tapecould contain room color, intensity or lighting positional data. Thepresent invention may be embodied not only in television signals, but inany other signal-based source, such as music, film, a website, or thelike, so that the lighting environment, or specific lights, whether inthe home, at work, or in a theater, can be matched to the entertainmentsource.

Referring to FIG. 85, a signal generator 504 may be any device capableof generating an entertainment signal, such as a television broadcastcamera. Referring to FIG. 86, lighting control data may be added to thesignal generated by the signal generator through use of a data encoderor multiplexor 508. Methods and systems for adding data to televisionsignals and other entertainment signals are known to those or ordinaryskill in the art; for example, standards exist for insertion ofclosed-captioning data into the vertical blanking interval of atelevision broadcast signal, in order to have captioned text for thehearing-impaired appear on a portion of a television screen. Similartechniques can be used to insert lighting control data into the same orsimilar portions of the television signal. In an embodiment of theinvention, a multiplexor may detect a horizontal sync pulse thatidentifies the beginning of the television line, count a pre-determinedamount of time after the pulse, and replace or supplement the televisionsignal data for a predetermined amount of time after the pulse. Thus, acombined signal of control data superimposed on the television signalmay be produced. Similar techniques may be used for other types ofsignals.

Once the signal is encoded, the signal may be transmitted by a dataconnection 512, which may be a transmitter, circuit, telephone line,cable, videotape, compact disk, DVD, network or other data connection ofany type, to the location of the user's entertainment device 514. Adecoder 518 may be designed to separate the lighting control data fromthe entertainment signal. The decoder 518 may be a decoder box similarto that used to decode closed-captioning or other combined signals. Sucha decoder may, for example, detect the horizontal sync pulse, count timeafter the horizontal sync pulse and switch an output channel between achannel for the entertainment device 514 and a different channeldedicated to lighting control data, depending on the time after thehorizontal sync pulse. Other techniques for reading or decoding datafrom a combined signal, such as optical reading of black and whitepixels superimposed onto the television screen, are possible. Any systemadding and extracting lighting control data to and from an entertainmentsignal may be used. The entertainment signal may then be relayed to theentertainment device 514, so that the signal may be played in aconventional manner. The lighting control data, once separated from theentertainment signal by the decoder 518, may be relayed to a lightingmodule or modules 100 for controlled illumination. The signal may berelayed to the light modules 100 by a data connection 522 by anyconventional data connection, such as by infrared, radio, or othertransmission, or by a circuit, network or data track.

Systems and methods provided herein include an system for combiningillumination control with another signal. One such embodiment is anentertainment system, which is disclosed herein. It should be understoodthat other signals, such as those used for informational, educational,business or other purposes could be combined with illumination controlsignals in the manner described herein, and are within the scope of thedisclosure, notwithstanding the fact that the depicted embodiment is anentertainment system.

The entertainment system may include an illumination source 501, whichmay be part of a group of such illumination sources 501. Theillumination source 501, in this embodiment of the invention, may be alight module 100 such as that disclosed above. Referring to FIG. 85, theillumination source 501 may be disclosed about a space 503 in which anentertainment system 561 is located. The illumination system may includethe illumination sources 501, as well as an entertainment device 514.The illumination source 501 may include a receiver 505 for receiving acontrol signal to control the illumination source 501. The controlsignal can be any type of control signal capable of controlling adevice, such as a radio frequency signal, an electrical signal, aninfrared signal, an acoustic signal, an optical signal, or any otherenergy signal.

The entertainment system 561 may include a decoder 518 that is capableof decoding an incoming signal and transmitting the signal by atransmitter 522 to the illumination sources 501. The illumination systemmay further include a signal generator 504, which is depicted inschematic form in FIG. 86 and FIG. 85. The signal generator 504 maygenerate any form of entertainment signal, whether it be a video signal,an audio signal, a data packet, or other signal. In an embodiment, asdepicted in FIG. 85, a signal generator 504 generates a televisionsignal that is transmitted to a satellite 507. Referring to FIG. 86, thesignal generator 504 may be associated with an encoder 508 which mayinclude a multiplexor and which may combine a signal from a signalgenerator 504 with control data from a control data generator 509. Theencoded signal 508 may then be transmitted by a transmitter 512 to thedecoder 518. Once decoded by the decoder 518, the signal may be splitback into the entertainment signal component and the illuminationcontrol data component. The entertainment signal may be sent to theentertainment device 514 by a circuit or other conventional means. Thecontrol data may be sent by a transmitter, circuit, network or otherconventional connection 522 to the illumination sources, which in theembodiment depicted in 86 are light modules 100 such as disclosed above.As a result, illumination control may be associated with anentertainment signal, so that the illumination produced by theillumination sources 501 can be matched to the entertainment signalplayed on the entertainment device 514. Thus, for example, the roomlights may be synchronized and controlled to create different conditionssimultaneously with events that occur in programs that are beingdisplayed on a television.

It should be recognized that any type of entertainment signal could becombined or multiplexed with the control signal to permit control of theillumination sources 501 with the entertainment device 514. For example,the entertainment device could be a television, a computer, a compactdisc player, a stereo, a radio, a video cassette player, a DVD player, aCD-ROM drive, a tape player, or other device. It should be understoodthat the entertainment device 514 could be a device for display for oneor more of the above signals for purposes other than entertainment.Thus, educational, informational, or other purposes and devices shouldbe understood to be within the scope disclosed herein, although theembodiment depicted is an entertainment device 514. It should beunderstood that the particular system for combining the data,transmitting the data, and decoding the data for use by the device 514and the illumination sources 501 will depend on the particularapplication. Thus, the transmitter used in the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 85 and 86 could be replaced with a circuit, a network, or othermethod or system for connecting or transmitting a decoded signal.Similarly the connection between the decoder 518 and the illuminationsources 501 could be a transmitter, circuit, network, or otherconnection method of delivering data to the illumination sources 501.

The illumination control driver 509 that generates control data can beany data generator capable of generating data for controlling theillumination sources 501. In an embodiment of the invention, the controldriver is similar to that disclosed in connection with FIG. 6 hereof,and the illumination sources a light module 100. In this case, the datawould be sent according to the DMX-512 protocol.

In an embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 87, an encoder 508 isdepicted in schematic form in an embodiment where the signal is atelevision signal. In this embodiment, a video signal 511 enters thedevice at 513 from the signal generator 504. Control data 515 may enterthe encoder 508 at 517 from the illumination control driver 509. Otherdata or signals may enter at 519 and 521. These other signals may beused to control the encoder 508, to change the operation mode of thecontroller 508, or for other purposes. The other signal 521 could alsobe some other form of piggyback signal that is related to the videosignal 511. For example, the other signal 521 could be closed-caption orteletext data that would be multiplexed with the video signal. Theencoder 508 may include a sync detector 523. The sync detector 523 maydetect the horizontal sync pulse in the video signal 511. The syncdetector may then send a signal 525 to a timing and control circuit 527.

The timing and control circuit 527 may count a predetermined amount oftime after the horizontal sync pulse detected by the sync detector 523and control a series of gates or switches 529, 531, 533 and 535. Inparticular, the timing and control circuit 527 may be used to open oneof the gates 529, 531, 533 and 535 while keeping the other gates closed.Thus, the signal at the node 537 of FIG. 87 represents the particularselected signal among the signals 511, 515, 519 and 521 that has an opengate among the gates 529, 531, 533 and 535. By opening and closingdifferent gates at different times, the timing and control circuit 527can generate a combined signal at 537 that captures different data atdifferent points of the output signal.

In an embodiment the invention may include an analog to digitalconverter 539, an amplifier 541, or other component or components toconvert the signal to appropriate format or to provide an adequatesignal strength for use. The end result is an output combined signal 543that reflects multiple types of data. In an embodiment, the combinedsignal combines a video signal 511 with illumination control data 515that is capable of controlling the illumination sources 501 depicted inFIG. 85.

Referring to FIG. 88, a depiction of the operation of the timing andcontrol circuit 527 is provided. For each of the signals 511, 519, 515and 521 the gate for the signal may be kept on or off (i.e., open orclosed) at a predetermined time after detection of the sync pulse by thesync detector 523. The timing and control circuit may thus allocate thetime periods after detection of the sync pulse to be different signals,with only one of the gates 529, 531, 533 and 535 open at any particulartime. Thus, the gate for the video signal 511 is open for the timeimmediately after detection of the sync pulse and for a time after thegates have been opened and closed. The gate for the data signal 519, thecontrol data 515 and the other signal 521 can be opened in sequence,with no single gate open at the same time as any other gate. Thisapproach, as reflected by the schematics of FIG. 87 and FIG. 88,establishes a combined signal without interference between theconstituent signals 511, 519, 515 and 521.

Referring to FIG. 89, an embodiment of a decoder 518 is provided. Inthis embodiment, the decoder 518 is a decoder box for a video signal.The incoming signal at 545 may be the combined signal produced by theencoder 508 of FIG. 87. A detector 547 may detect the horizontal orother sync pulse in the combined signal 545 and send a signal 549 to acontrol circuit 551 to establish the timing of the control circuit 551.The combined signal 545 may be also be sent to the timing and controlcircuit 551, which may process the incoming combined signal 545according to the time of arrival, or using other information. In oneembodiment, the decoder may separate the incoming signal according tothe time of arrival as determined by the sync detector 547. Therefore,by coding the timing of the opening of the gates as depicted in FIG. 88,the timing and control circuit 551 can separate video, control data, andother data according to the time of arrival. Thus, the timing andcontrol circuit 551 can send a video signal 553 to the entertainmentdevice 514. The timing and control circuit 551 can similarly sendcontrol data 555 to the illumination source 501, which may be a lightmodule 100 such as that depicted above. The other data can be sent toanother device 557.

Other elements can be included between the timing and control circuit551 and the respective device; for example, a digital to analogconverter 559 could be disposed between the timing and control circuit551 and the entertainment device 514 to permit use of an analog signalwith the entertainment device 514. It should be understood that thetiming and control approach depicted in the schematic FIG. 89 is onlyone of many approaches of decoding a combined signal. For example, thesignal could be a data packet, in which case the packet could includespecific information regarding the type of signal that it is, includinginformation that specifies which illumination source 501 it is intendedto control. In this case the timing and control 551 could include ashift register for accepting and outputting data packets to theappropriate devices.

The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 85-89 are merely illustrative, andmany embodiments of circuits or software for producing such a systemwould be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Forexample, many systems and methods for inserting data into signals areknown. For example, systems are provided for including closed-captiondata, vertical interval time code data, non-real time video data, samplevideo data, North American Basic Teletex specification data, WorldSystem Teletex data, European broadcast union data and Nielsenautomated, measurement and lineup data, and entry video signals. Onesuch system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,615 to Nuber et al., thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Systems andmethods for nesting signals within a television signal are also known.One such system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,689 to Small, theentire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Otherapplications include surround sound, in which certain sound data iscombined with a signal, which may be a motion picture, music, or videosignal. Such surround sound systems are known to those skilled in theart. One such system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,718 to Ambournet al., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by referenceherein. Any system for superimposing data onto a signal or combiningdata with a signal for controlling a device wherein the system iscapable of also carrying illumination control information produced by anillumination control driver for controlling an illumination sourceshould be understood to be within the scope of the invention.

In the television embodiment, different portions of the televisionsignal are used for different purposes. One portion of the signal isused for the visible image that appears on the screen. Another portionis used for audio signals. Another is the overscan area. Another portionis the vertical blanking interval. Another portion is the horizontalblanking interval. Any portion of the signal can be used to carry data.In an embodiment, the data is located in one of the portions, such asthe horizontal blanking interval or the vertical blanking interval, thatdoes not interfere with the display on the screen. However, it is knownthat a typical television does not display all of the display portion ofthe television signal. Therefore, the initial part of the televisiondisplay signal could also be replaced with the illumination control datawithout substantially interfering with the appearance of the picture tothe user of the entertainment device 514.

In embodiments, a user may measure the color temperature of particularlighting conditions with a light sensor, identify the signal from thelight sensor under desired conditions, connect the processor of thepresent invention to the light sensor and strobe the arrayed LEDs of thepresent invention through various lighting conditions until the signalfrom the light sensor indicates that the desired conditions have beenobtained. By periodically strobing the LEDs and checking the signal fromthe light sensor, the arrayed LEDs of the present invention may thus beprogrammed to maintain precise lighting conditions in a room. This lightcompensation feature may be useful in a number of technological fields.For example, a photographer could measure ideal conditions, such as nearsunset when warm colors predominate, with a light sensor and reestablishthose exact conditions as desired with the arrayed LEDs of the presentinvention. Similarly, a surgeon in an operating theater could establishideal lighting conditions for a particular type of surgery andreestablish or maintain those lighting conditions in a controlledmanner. Moreover, due to the flexible digital control of the arrayedLEDs of the present invention, any number of desired lighting conditionsmay be programmed for maintenance or reestablishment. Thus, aphotographer may select a range of options, depending on the desiredeffect, and the surgeon may select different lighting conditionsdepending on the surgical conditions. For example, different objectsappear more or less vividly under different colors of light. If thesurgeon is seeking high contrast, then lighting conditions can bepreprogrammed to create the greatest contrast among the differentelements that must be seen in the surgery. Alternatively, the surgeon,photographer, or other user may strobe the lighting conditions through awide range until the conditions appear optimal.

The ability to vary lighting conditions, continuously or discretely, atshort time intervals and over a wide range of colors, permits a numberof technological advances in fields that depend on controlledillumination. Certain embodiments of the invention in the area ofcontrolled illumination are set forth as follows.

The present disclosure further provides systems and methods forprecision illumination. Precision illumination is understood to includethose systems and methods that direct light at specified targets toachieve predetermined effects. The present invention provides a lightsource that does not generate excessive heat in the area beingilluminated. The invention further provides facile alteration of lightcolor being used for illumination. The invention further deliversillumination to a target material through a durable and manipulableapparatus.

The present invention provides a system for illuminating a material,including an LED system, a processor and a positioning system. The LEDsystem is adapted for generating a range of frequencies within aspectrum, the processor is adapted for controlling the amount ofelectrical current supplied to the LED system, so that a particularamount of current supplied thereto generates a corresponding frequencywithin a spectrum, and the positioning system is capable of positioningthe LED system in a spatial relationship with the material whereby theLED system illuminates the material. In one embodiment, the processorcan be responsive to a signal relating to a feature of the material. Inan embodiment, the positioning system can be capable of being directedby a part of an operator's body. In another embodiment, the positioningsystem can include a remote control system. In another embodiment, theillumination system described herein can include a robotic visionsystem.

The present invention provides a method for illuminating a materialincluding the steps of providing an LED system, providing a processor,positioning the LED system in a spatial relationship with the materialwhereby the LED system illuminates the material, and producing lightfrom the LED system. As described above, the LED system is adapted forgenerating a range of frequencies within a spectrum, and the processoris adapted for controlling the amount of electrical current supplied tothe LED system, so that a particular amount of current supplied theretogenerates a corresponding color within the spectrum. In one practice,the method can include providing an image capture system, wherein theimage capture system is adapted for recording an image of the material.A practice of the method can include the steps of determining the rangeof frequencies within the spectrum for illuminating the material, andcontrolling the LED system to generate the corresponding color withinthe spectrum. The material being illuminated by these methods caninclude a biological entity. The biological entity can include a livingorganism. A method of the disclosed invention can include the steps ofselecting an illumination condition to be produced in the material,illuminating the material with a range of frequencies produced by theLED system, and selecting from the range of frequencies produced by theLED system a set of colors, whereby the set of colors produces in thematerial said illumination condition. A practice of the methods of thisinvention can include a further step of illuminating the material withthe selected set of colors.

The present invention provides a method for evaluating a material,including the steps of selecting an area of the material for evaluation,illuminating the area of the material with an LED system, determining atleast one characteristic of a light reflected from the area, wherein thecharacteristic is selected from the group including color and intensity,and comparing the characteristic of the light reflected from the areawith a set of known light parameters, whereby the set of known lightparameters relates to a feature of said material. According to onepractice of the method, the set of known light parameters relates to anabnormal feature of the material. In one embodiment, the material beingevaluated comprises a biological entity.

The present invention provides a system for illuminating a body part,including a power source, an LED system connected to the power source,said LED system being adapted for illuminating the body organ, a medicalinstrument adapted for positioning the LED system in proximity to thebody part to illuminate the body part, and a microprocessor forcontrolling the LED system. In one embodiment, the microprocessor isresponsive to a signal relating to a feature of the body part. Thefeature of the body part can be a structural condition. In oneembodiment, the body part is illuminated in vivo. In one embodiment, thebody part includes a lumen. In an embodiment, the medical instrument isadapted for insertion within a body cavity.

The present invention provides a method for diagnosing a condition of abody part, including the steps of selecting an area of the body part forevaluation, illuminating the area of the body part with an LED system,determining at least one characteristic of a light reflected from thearea, wherein the characteristic is selected from the group includingcolor and intensity, and comparing the characteristic of the lightreflected from the area with a set of known light parameters, whereinthe set of known light parameters relates to the condition of the bodypart. In one practice of the method, the set of known light parametersrelates to a pathological condition of the body part. The method caninclude the additional step of administering an agent to a patient,wherein the agent is delivered to the body part, and whereby the agentalters the characteristic of the light reflected from the area of thebody part.

The present invention provides a method for effecting a change in amaterial, including the steps of providing an LED system for generatinga range of frequencies within a spectrum, selecting from the range ofcolors a set of colors, whereby the set of colors produces in thematerial the change, illuminating the material with the LED system for aperiod of time predetermined to be effective in producing the change. Inone embodiment, the material being illuminated can comprise a biologicalentity. The biological entity can comprise a living organism. The livingorganism can be a vertebrate. In one practice, the method can includethe step of illuminating the an environment surrounding the livingorganism.

The present invention provides a method for treating a condition of apatient, including the steps of providing an LED system comprising aplurality of color-emitting semiconductor dies for generating a range offrequencies within a spectrum, selecting from the range of colors a setof colors, whereby the set of colors produces in the patient atherapeutic effect, and illuminating an area of the patient with the setof colors for a period of time predetermined to be effective inproducing the therapeutic effect. In one embodiment, the area of thepatient comprises an external surface of the patient. In one embodiment,the area of the patient comprises a body part. According to one practiceof these methods, an agent can be administered to a patient, wherein theagent is delivered to the area of the patient, and whereby the agentalters the therapeutic effect achieved by illuminating the area of thepatient with the set of colors.

The present invention provides an illumination system, including a powerterminal, an LED system, a current sink coupled to the LED system, thecurrent sink comprising an input responsive to an activation signal thatenables flow of current through the current sink, an addressablecontroller having an alterable address, the controller coupled to theinput and having a timer for generating the activation signal for apredefined portion of a timing cycle, the addressable controller furthercomprising a data receiver corresponding to the alterable address andindicative of the predefined portion of the timing cycle, and apositioning system capable of positioning the LED system in a spatialrelationship with a material whereby the LED system illuminates thematerial.

Other practices and embodiments of the invention will, in part, be setforth below and will, in part, be obvious to one of ordinary skill inthese arts given the following descriptions.

In the embodiments depicted below, LED systems are used to generate arange of colors within a spectrum. “LED system,” as the term is usedherein, refers to an array of color-emitting semiconductor dies. Coloremitting semiconductor dies are also termed light emitting diodes orLEDs. The array of color-emitting semiconductor dies can include aplurality of color-emitting semiconductor dies grouped together in onestructural unit. Alternatively, the array of color-emittingsemiconductor dies can comprise a plurality of structural units, eachcomprising at least one color-emitting semiconductor die. An LED systemcan further comprise a plurality of structural units, each unitcomprising a plurality of color-emitting semiconductor dies. It isunderstood that as long as at least two primary color LEDs are used, anyillumination or display color may be generated simply by preselectingthe light intensity that each color LED emits. Further, as described inpart in the foregoing specification, each color LED can emit light atany of a large number of different intensities, depending on the dutycycle of PWM square wave, with a full intensity pulse generated bypassing maximum current through the LED. The term brightness, as usedherein, is understood to refer to the intensity of a light. As anexample, described in part above, the maximum intensity of an LED or ofthe LED system can be conveniently programmed simply by adjusting theceiling for the maximum allowable current using programming resistancesfor the processors residing on the light module

In one embodiment of the present invention, a multicolor illuminatingsystem is provided for illuminating a material. The terms “illumination”and “illuminate” as used herein can refer to direct illumination,indirect illumination or transillumination. Illumination is understoodto comprise the full spectrum radiation frequencies, including, visible,ultraviolet, and infrared, as well as others. Illumination can refer toenergy that comprises any range of spectral frequencies. Illuminationcan be viewed or measured directly, whereby the reflected light regardedby the viewer or sensor is reflected at an angle relative to the surfacesubstantially equivalent to the angle of the incident light.Illumination can be viewed or measured indirectly, whereby the reflectedlight regarded by the viewer or sensor is reflected at an angle relativeto the surface that is different than the angle of the incident light.Direct or indirect illumination can be directed at the surface of amaterial. A surface can be a naturally occurring surface such as a bodypart or a geological formation. Alternatively, the surface can be a faceof an apparatus. A surface can have a three-dimensional topography. Asurface can have a plurality of objects affixed to it.

The term “material” as used herein encompasses the full range ofmaterials that can be targets for illumination. The term“transillumination” refers to an illumination method whereby light isdirected at least in part through a material, wherein thecharacteristics of the light are regarded by a viewer or a sensor afterthe light has passed through the material. As an example oftransillumination, illumination from a gastroscope can be directedthrough the wall of the stomach and through the overlying soft tissuesso that a site can be identified for placement of a percutaneousendoscopic gastrostomy tube. As another example of transillumination, alight can be directed at a surface of a tissue mass to determine whetherit is cystic or solid. A cystic mass is said to transilluminate, thisterm referring to the fact that light passes through the mass to beperceptible by an observer at a site remote from the site of theincident light.

FIG. 90A depicts an embodiment of an illumination system 2020. Theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 90A shows a positioning system 2010, acontrol module 2012, an LED assembly 2014 and a target material 2018. Inthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 90A, the target material 2018 isrepresented as a surface of an apparatus. It will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the relevant arts that the target material 2018 canbe any material, and is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. InFIG. 90A, an embodiment of the illumination system 2020 is showndirecting incident light 2022 at material 2018. FIG. 90A furtherillustrates a LED assembly 2014, comprising a sensor system 2024 and anLED system 2028. In one embodiment, a plurality or an array of LEDscomprises the LED system 2028, each LED being controlled by the controlmodule 2012. An LED system 2028 is understood to comprise a plurality ofcolor-emitting semiconductor dies for generating a range of colorswithin a spectrum. The LED system 2028 can comprise the light module 100or the smart light bulb 701 disclosed above. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 90A, the sensor system 2024 is capable of providinga signal related to the characteristics of the light reflected to thesensor system 2024 from the material 2018. In an alternate embodiment, asensor system 2024 can be responsive to other features of the material2018. A sensor system 2024 can be affixed to the LED system housing, ora sensor system 2024 can be positioned in juxtaposition to the LEDsystem 2028. Other placements of the sensor system 2024 relative to theLED system 2028 can be readily envisioned by those of ordinary skill inthese arts. Alternately, an embodiment can provide no sensor system.

FIG. 90A further depicts a positioning arm 2032, a control module 2012and a LED cable 2034 through which can pass the electrical signal to theLED system 2028, and the data signal to the LED system 2028. Optionally,a data signal can pass to the sensor module (not shown) from the sensorsystem 2024. The LED cable 2034 can carry these sensor signals. Thecontrol module 2012 in the illustrated embodiment can contain theprocessor for the LED system, the power source for the LED system, thesensor module for the sensor system and a processor for relating thesignals received by the sensor system 2024 to the processor, so thatsignals received by the sensor module affect the output characteristicsof the LED system 2028. The control module can further include aposition controller (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment thepositioning system 2010 comprises the positioning arm 2032, the positioncontroller and a positioning cable 2038. This depiction of a positioningsystem is merely illustrative. As the term is used herein, a positioningsystem is understood to include any system capable of positioning theLED system in a spatial relationship with the material being illuminatedwhereby the LED system illuminates the material. A positioning system,therefore, can include an apparatus of any kind capable of positioningthe LED system. A positioning system can comprise a human operator whois capable of positioning the LED system in a spatial relationship withthe material being illuminated whereby the LED system illuminates thematerial. A positioning system can further comprise the LED cable if theLED cable is adapted for positioning the LED system in a spatialrelationship with the material being illuminated.

A plurality of positioning systems can be envisioned by practitioners inthese arts that will conform to the features of the particular materialbeing illuminated. For example, a positioning system adapted formicrosurgery can be mounted on an operating microscope and can becontrolled by a control module suitable for receiving positioning inputfrom the microsurgeons. As one option for a positioning system to beused in microsurgery or other surgical procedures, a foot pedal systemcan provide positioning input, either using a foot-operated button,pedal or slide. As an alternative option, a manual control can beadapted for placement in the sterile field by convering the manualcontrol with a sterile plastic bag or sheet so the microsurgeon canmanipulate the control manually without compromising sterile technique.

As an example of a positioning system, a standard surgical light fixturecan be equipped with an LED system as disclosed herein. The standardsurgical light fixture is capable of positioning the LED system in aspatial relationship with the material being illuminated whereby the LEDsystem illuminates the material. This positioning system can be adjustedmanually in the standard fashion well-known to surgical practitioners.Alternatively, the positioning system can be controlled in response tosignals input from a separate control module. The positioning system canchange its position to illuminate materials designated by the operator,either in response to direct input into the control module or as aresponse to signals transmitted to a sensor apparatus. Other embodimentsof positioning systems can be envisioned by those skilled in these arts.The scope of the term “positioning system” is not to be limited by theembodiment illustrated in this figure. A plurality of other positioningsystems can be envisioned consistent with the systems and methodsdescribed herein.

FIG. 90A illustrates an embodiment of a positioning system 2010 wherethe LED assembly 2014 is located at the distal end of the positioningarm 2032. In this embodiment, the position controller can transmitsignals to the positioning arm 2032 to adjust its spatial position.These signals can be carried through the positioning cable 2038.Alternatively, the signals can be transmitted by infrared, by radiofrequency, or by any other method known in the art. Remote access to thecontrol module 2012 can permit the illumination system 2020 to becontrolled from a great distance, for example in undersea or aerospaceapplications. Remote access also permits control of the illuminationsystem 2020 when the illumination system 2020 is operating in hostile orinhospitable environments. Remote access to the control module isunderstood to comprise remote control. Techniques for remote control arefamiliar to practitioners in these arts.

In the illustrated embodiment, the positioning arm 2032 has a pluralityof articulations 2040 permitting its three-dimensional motion. In theillustrated embodiment, the articulations 2040 are arranged to providethe flexibility required by a particular technical application.Positioning can be accomplished with other mechanisms besides thosedepicted in FIG. 90A. These mechanisms will be familiar to practitionersin the art. As depicted in FIG. 90A, the proximal end of the positioningarm 2032 is anchored to a base 2026. The articulation connecting thepositioning arm 2032 to the base 2026 can be arranged to permit motionalong an axis parallel to or perpendicular to the axes of motionpermitted by the other articulations 2040.

The positioning system depicted in FIG. 90A is merely one embodiment ofthe systems described herein. A plurality of other embodiments areavailable, as will be realized by practitioners of ordinary skill in therelevant arts. In one embodiment, the positioning system 2010 can beconfigured for large-scale applications, such as the evaluation of sheetmetal or structural steel. Alternatively, the positioning system 2010can be adapted for microscopic adjustments in position. It is understoodthat the light provided by the illumination system can be used for aplurality of precision applications. Fine three- dimensional control ofthe illumination pattern can direct the light to an exact three-dimensional position. In an alternate embodiment, signals from thesensor module can be used to control or to activate the positioncontroller, so that the positioning system 2010 can be directed to movethe LED assembly 2014 in response to received sensor data. Theillumination system comprising the LED system 2028 allows the selectionof a colored light predetermined to facilitate visualization of thetarget material 2018. The strobing effect provided by an embodiment ofthe illumination system can permit freeze-frame imaging of dynamicprocesses, or can enhance the resolution of images acquired usingconventional imaging modalities.

An embodiment of the illumination system can be used for takingphotomicrographs. In another embodiment of the present invention, theillumination system 2020 may be used to improve the quality of roboticvision applications. In many robotic vision applications, such aslocation of semiconductor chips during the manufacturing process,reading of bar code matrices, location of robotic devices duringmanufacturing, or the like, a robotic camera is required to identifyshapes or contrasts and to react accordingly. Different lightingconditions can have a dramatic effect on such vision systems. A methodfor improving the accuracy of such systems includes creating a colorimage via a sequence of multiple black and white images taken undermultiple different strobed illuminating sequences. For example, the usermay strobe a red strobe to get the red frame, a green strobe to get thegreen frame, and a blue strobe to get the blue frame. The strobingeffect permits a higher resolution by the robotic camera of the imagerequired for robotic vision. Other embodiments can be envisioned bythose of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

FIG. 90B shows in more detail a schematic diagram of the control module2012. In the illustrated embodiment, the control module 2012 provides ahousing 2042 that contains a power source 2044, a first microprocessor2048 for the LED, a sensor module 2050 adapted for receiving signalsfrom the sensors affixed to the distal end of the position arm, and aposition controller 2052. The illustrated embodiment features a secondmicroprocessor 2054 for relating data received by the sensor module 2050to data for controlling the LED system. The position controller 2052 isadapted for adjusting the three-dimensional position of the positioningarm. The position controller 2052 can include an input device 2058 forreceiving signals or data from an outside source. As an example, datacan be input through a control panel operated by an operator. Data canbe in the form of 3-D coordinates to which the position system isdirected to move, or in any other form that can be envisioned bypractitioners of these arts. Data can also be provided through computerprograms that perform calculations in order to identify the 3-Dcoordinates to which the position system is directed to move. The inputdevice 2058 can be configured to receive data received through acomputer-based 3-dimensional simulator or virtual reality apparatus.Further examples of input devices 2058 can be envisioned by those ofordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of thisinvention. The control module 2030 depicted in FIG. 90B further shows asensor module 2050 adapted for receiving signals from the sensorsaffixed to the distal end of the position arm. The sensor module 2050can be configured to receive any type of signal, as described in partabove. A sensor module 2050 can comprise a light meter for measuring theintensity of the light reflected by the surface being illuminated. Asensor module 2050 can comprise a calorimeter, a spectrophotometer or aspectroscope, although other sensor modules and sensor systems can beemployed without departing from the scope of the invention. Aspectrophotometer is understood to be an instrument for measuring theintensity of light of a specific wavelength transmitted or reflected bya substance or a solution, giving a quantitative measure of the amountof material in the substance absorbing the light. Data received in thesensor module 2050 can be used to evaluate features of a material. Inone embodiment, sensor module 2050 can be configured to provide dataoutput to an output device 2060. The output data can include values thatcan be compared to a set of known values using algorithms familiar tothose skilled in these arts. The relationship between the output dataand the set of known values can be determined so as to yield meaningfulinformation about the material being illuminated by the illuminationsystem.

FIG. 91 depicts an embodiment of an illumination system 2056 capable ofbeing directed by a part of an operator's body. The embodiment shown inFIG. 91 depicts an illumination system 2056 held in the operator's hand2062. In the illustrated embodiment, the LED system 2064 is positionedat the distal end of a handheld wand 2068 that can be disposed in theoperator's hand 2062 and directed towards a material 2070. The LED cable2072 connects the LED system 2064 to a power source (not shown). The LEDcable 2072 transmits power signals and data signals to the LED system2064. In an alternate embodiment, sensors can be positioned at thedistal end of the handheld wand 2068 to provide sensing data asdescribed above. The signals from the sensors can be transmitted throughthe LED cable 2072 in one embodiment. In yet another embodiment, thehandheld wand 2068 can include an imaging system for video imaging. Thisimaging system can permit display of real-time images, for example on avideo screen. Alternatively, this imaging system can permit capture ofstill or motion images through appropriate software and hardwareconfigurations. Illuminating the material 2070 with a variety of colorscan result in significantly different images, as described in partabove. Strobing the light provided by the illumination system 2056 canallow capture of still images and can allow improved improvedresolution. The handheld system can be used for any application whereusing an operator's hand 2062 is advantageous in positioning theillumination system. In an embodiment, the system can be entirelyhandheld, as illustrated in FIG. 91. In an alternate embodiment, a wandbearing the LED can be affixed to a framework that supports it, wherebythe positioning of the wand is facilitated by direct manipulation by theoperator's hand. In yet another embodiment, the illumination system canbe borne on the operator's hand by a band or a glove, so that theposition of the illumination system can be directed by the movements ofthe operator's hand. In other embodiments, the illumination system canbe affixed to or retained by other body parts, to be directed thereby.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the LEDs are displayedin proximity to the workpiece that requires illumination. Thus, animproved flashlight, light ring, wrist band or glove may include anarray of LEDs that permit the user to vary the lighting conditions onthe workpiece until the ideal conditions are recognized. This embodimentof the invention may be of particular value in applications in which theuser is required to work with the user's hands in close proximity to asurface, such as in surgery, mechanical assembly or repair, particularlywhere the user cannot fit a large light source or where the workpiece issensitive to heat that is produced by conventional lights.

In one practice of a method for illuminating a material, a LED system,as described above, can be used. According to this practice, an LEDsystem and a processor are provided. The practice of this method canthen involve positioning the LED system in a spatial relationship withthe material to be illuminated. The positioning can take place manuallyor mechanically. The mechanical placement can be driven by input from anoperator. Alternately, mechanical placement can be driven by a data setor a set of algorithms provided electronically. A first microprocessorcan be provided for controlling the LED system. In an embodiment, asecond microprocessor can be provided for positioning the positioningsystem in relation to the material to be illuminated. In yet anotherembodiment, a third microprocessor can be provided for processing datainput from a sensor system or input from a control panel. Eachmicroprocessor can be related to each other microprocessor, so thatchanges in one function can be related to changes in other functions.

In one practice, the method can further comprise providing an imagecapture system for recording an image of the material. An image capturesystem, as the term is used herein, comprises techniques usingfilm-based methods, techniques using digital methods and techniquesusing any other methods for image capture. An image capture systemfurther comprises methods that record an image as a set of electronicsignals. Such an image can exist, for example, in a computer system. Inthe current arts, images can be captured on film, on magnetic tape asvideo or in digital format. Images that are captured using analogtechnologies can be converted to digital signals and captured in digitalformat. Images, once captured, can be further manipulated usingphotomanipulative software, for example Adobe Photoshop.™.Photomanipulative software is well-known in the art to permitmodification of an image to enhance desirable visual features. An imageonce captured can be published using a variety of media, includingpaper, CD-ROM, floppy disc, other disc storage systems, or published onthe Internet. The term recording as used herein refers to any imagecapture, whether permanent or temporary. An image capture system furtherincludes those technologies that record moving images, whether usingfilm-based methods, videotape, digital methods or any other methods forcapturing a moving image. An image capture system further includes thosetechnologies that permit capture of a still image from moving images. Animage, as the term is used herein, can include more than one image. Asone embodiment, a photography system can be provided whereby thematerial being illuminated is photographed using film-based methods. Inthis embodiment, the LED system can be strobed to permit stop-actionphotography of a moving material.

In an alternative embodiment, a sensor system can be arranged toidentify the characteristics of light reflected by a material and theLED system can be controlled to reproduce a set of desired lightcharacteristics so that the material will be optimally illuminated toachieve a desired photographic effect. This effect may be an aestheticone, although industrial and medical effects can be achieved. Forexample, a set of characteristics for ambient light in the operatingroom can be identified by surgical personnel and replicated duringsurgery. Certain types of lighting conditions can be more suitable forcertain operations. As another example, photography can be carried outusing the LED system to provide certain characteristics for thephotographic illumination. As is well-known in the art, certain lighttones and hues highlight certain colors for photography. Different lightsystems used for photography can cause different tones and hues to berecorded by the photograph. For example, incandescent light is known toproduce more reddish skin tones, while fluorescent light is known toproduce a bluish skin tone. The LED system can be used to provideconsistent tones and hues in a photographic subject from one lightingenvironment to another. Other desired photographic effects can beenvisioned by those skilled in the relevant arts.

As one practice of a method for illuminating a material, a predeterminedrange of colors can be selected within the spectrum. The LED system canthen be controlled to generate these colors and to illuminate thematerial thereby. The material to be illuminated can be an inanimateentity. In one embodiment, a chemical reaction or its component reagentscan be illuminated according to this method, whereby the illumination isunderstood to influence the characteristics of the chemical reaction. Inanother embodiment, the method of illumination can be directed to abiological entity. The term biological entity as used herein includesany entity related to biology. The term biology refers to the scienceconcerned with the phenomena of life and living organism. Hence, abiological entity can comprise a cell, a tissue, an organ, a body part,a cellular element, a living organism, a biological product, a chemicalor an organic material produced by a biological entity or throughbiotechnology, or any other entity related to biology. Further, though,the term biological entity can refer to a substance that was once partof a living organism, including a substance extracted from a livingorganism and including a substance that is no longer alive. Pathologicalspecimens are encompassed by the term biological entity. A livingorganism is called out as a particular embodiment of a biologicalentity, but this usage is not intended to narrow the scope of the termbiological entity as it is used herein. In one practice of a method forilluminating a biological entity, that biological entity can be a livingorganism. A living organism can include cells, microorganisms, plants,animals or any other living organism.

As a practice of a method for illuminating a material, a predetermineddesired illumination condition can be selected, and a material can beilluminated with a range of colors until the desired condition isattained. A range of colors can be selected according to this method,whereby the selected colors are capable of producing the desiredcondition. Optionally, an additional step of this practice comprisesilluminating the material with the selected colors, so as to bring aboutthe desired effect. This method can be applied to non-living orbiological entities.

It is understood that a method for illuminating a living organism canhave specific effects upon its structure, physiology or psychology. Asembodiments of a method for illuminating a living organism, thesetechnologies can be directed towards cells, microorganisms, plants oranimals. These practices can comprise, without limitation,microbiological applications, cloning applications, cell culture,agricultural applications, aquaculture, veterinary applications or humanapplications. As an example, plant growth can be accelerated byprecisely controlling the spectrum of light they are grown in. FIG. 92Ashows a practice of this method, whereby a plurality of LED systems 2074provide illumination to fruitbearing plants 2078 being grown in agreenhouse environment. The size and number of fruit 2080 on theseplants 2078 are understood to compare advantageously to the results ofthe method illustrated in FIG. 92B, wherein the fruitbearing plants 2078illuminated with natural light 2082 are observed to bear smaller andfewer fruits 2080. As a further example, cellular growth in culture canbe improved by illuminating the cells or the media with light havingcertain spectral qualities. As another example, optimal breeding andanimal health can be achieved by illuminating the subjects with a rangeof colors within the spectrum. As yet another example, replicating for amarine species in an aquarium the spectrum of light in its waters oforigin can significantly increase its lifespan in captivity. Forexample, it is understood that the spectrum in the Red Sea is distinctlydifferent from the spectrum in the waters of Cape Cod. According to apractice of this method, the illumination conditions of the Red Sea canbe reproduced in an aquarium containing Red Sea species, with salubriouseffect. As an additional example, an organism's circadian rhythms can beevoked by illuminating the subject creature with light of varyingspectral characteristics.

As a practice of a method for illumination, a material can be evaluatedby selecting an area of the material to be evaluated, illuminating thatarea with an LED system, determining the characteristics of the lightreflected from that area and comparing those characteristics of colorand/or intensity with a set of known light parameters that relate to afeature of the material being evaluated. The feature being evaluated canbe a normal feature or an abnormal feature of the material. As anexample, the integrity of a tooth can be evaluated by directing light ofa particular color at the tooth to identify those areas that arecarious. Structural conditions of materials can be evaluated byilluminating those materials and looking for abnormalities in reflectedlight. A practice of this method can be applied to biological entities.In forensic pathology, for example, various kinds of fillings for teethcan be distinguished by the way in which they reflect light ofparticular spectra. This allows identifications to be made based ondental records for forensic purposes. An embodiment of this methodrelated to biological entities is adapted for use in a variety ofmedical applications, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as described in partabove, a multicolor illuminator is provided for surgical illumination.Different body organs are typically low in relative color contrast. Bychanging color conditions in a controlled manner, the surgeon orassistant can increase this relative contrast to maximize the visibilityof important surgical features, including internal organs and surgicalinstruments. Thus, if the surgeon is trying to avoid nerve tissue in asurgery, a light that is designed to create the maximum apparentcontrast between nerve tissue color and other tissue will permit thegreatest precision. Surgical lights of the present invention can be ofany conventional configuration, such as large theater lights, or can beattached to surgical instruments, such as an endoscope, surgical gloves,clothing, or a scalpel.

FIG. 93A depicts one embodiment of a system for illuminating a body partaccording to the present invention. This illustration shows a medicalinstrument for positioning the LED system in proximity to a body part,here a conventional surgical retractor 2084 with the LED system 2088affixed to the anterior aspect of its retracting face 2090. Theillustrated surgical retractor 2084 resembles a Richardson-typeretractor, well-known in the art. Other medical instruments can beemployed to bear the LED system 2088 without departing from the scope ofthese systems and methods. Medical instruments bearing LED systems canbe used for illuminating a body part.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 93A, a conventional surgicalretractor 2084 is shown elevating a segment of body tissue, heredepicted as the edge of the liver 2104. The illumination from the LEDsystem 2088 is directed at a body part, here the gallbladder 2110 andporta hepatis 2112. As used herein, the term body part refers to anypart of the body. The term is meant to include without limitation anybody part, whether that body part is described in anatomic, physiologicor topographic terms. A body part can be of any size, whethermacroscopic or microscopic. The term body part can refer to a part ofthe body in vivo or ex vivo. The term ex vivo is understood to refer toany body part removed from body, whether that body part is living or isnon-living. An ex vivo body part may comprise an organ fortransplantation or for replantation. An ex vivo body part may comprise apathological or a forensic specimen. An ex vivo body part can refer to abody part in vitro. The term body part shall be further understood torefer to the anatomic components of an organ. As an example, theappendix is understood to be an anatomic component of the organ known asthe intestine.

In the illustrated embodiment, the porta hepatis 2112 is an anatomicregion that is a body part. The porta hepatis 2112 is understood to beara plurality of other body parts, including the portal vein 2114, thehepatic artery 2118, the hepatic nerve plexus, the hepatic ducts and thehepatic lymphatic vessels. The hepatic ducts 2120 from the liver 2104and the cystic duct 2124 from the gallbladder 2110 converge to form thecommon bile duct 2128; all these ducts are body parts as the term isused herein. Distinguishing these body parts from each other can bedifficult in certain surgical situations. In the depicted embodiment,the LED system 2088 is directed at the porta hepatis 2112 during agallbladder procedure to facilitate identification of the relevant bodyparts. Directing lights of different colors at the discrete body partscan allow the operator more readily to decide which body part is which,a decision integral to a surgical operation.

A plurality of other applications of these illumination systems can bereadily envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts.While the embodiment depicted in FIG. 93A shows a handheld retractor2084 being used in an open surgical procedure, the illumination systemsdescribed herein can also be applied to endoscopic surgery, thoracoscopyor laparoscopy. Discrimination among the various body parts in a regionsuch as the porta hepatis 2112 can be particularly difficult during alaparoscopic procedure. As an alternate embodiment, the relevantanatomic structures can be illuminated using an LED system affixed tothe instrumentation for laparoscopy, thereby facilitating theidentification of the structures to be resected and the structures to bepreserved during the laparoscopic procedure.

Other endoscopic applications will be apparent to those skilled in theart. As illustrative embodiments, an LED system can be combined withendoscopic instrumentation for the evaluation of intraluminal anatomy ingastrointestinal organs, in cardiovascular organs, in tracheobronchialorgans or in genitourinary organs. A lumen is understood to be a bodypart, within the meaning of the latter term. The term lumen isunderstood to refer to a space in the interior of a hollow tubularstructure. The term body part further comprises the wall of a hollowtubular structure surrounding the lumen. Subcutaneous uses of theillumination system can be envisioned to allow identification of bodyparts during endoscopic musculocutaneous flap elevation. Such body partsidentified can include nerves, blood vessels, muscles and other tissues.Other embodiments can be readily envisioned by skilled practitionerswithout departing from the scope of the systems disclosed herein.

In FIG. 93A, the LED system 2088 is shown arrayed at the distal edge ofthe retractor 2084 mounted on the undersurface of the retracting face2090 of the retractor 2084. This arrangement interposes the retractingface 2090 of the retractor 2084 between the body tissue, here the edgeof the liver 2104, and the LED system 2088 so that a retracting force onthe body tissue, here the edge of the liver 2104, does not impinge uponthe LED system 2088. The LED system 2088 in the illustrated embodimentis arranged linearly along the retracting face 2090 of the retractor.Here the power cord 2108 is shown integrated with the handle 2106 of theretractor 2084. The systems described herein can be adapted for aplurality of medical instruments without departing from the scope of theinvention. For example, a malleable retractor or a Deaver retractor canbear the LED system. Other types of retractors for specialized surgicalapplications can similarly be adapted to bear the LED system in anyarrangement with respect to the retracting face that fits the particularsurgical need. As an example, an LED system can be mounted on a flexibleprobe for illuminating a particular tissue where the probe does notserve the function of retraction. In an embodiment, an LED system can bedirected at lymph nodes in the axilla or in the inguinal regionfollowing percutaneous access and subcutaneous dissection, illuminatingthese lymph nodes with a light color selected to illuminate a feature ofthe lymph nodes preferentially, such as their replacement with themelanotic tissue of malignant melanoma; the illumination of the lymphnodes can be simultaneously evaluated through endoscopy orvideoendoscopy using minimally invasive techniques, thereby reducing theneed for full operative lymphadenectomy with its consequent sequelae.This example is offered as an illustration of an embodiment of anapplication of the technologies described herein, but other examples andillustrations can be devised by those of ordinary skill in these artsthat fall within the scope of the invention.

A plurality of arrangements of LEDs can be envisioned by those ofordinary skill in these arts without departing from the scope of theinvention. The LED array is capable of being placed in proximity to thetarget organ by a surgical instrument. The term proximity as used hereinrefers to the degree of propinquity such that the illumination directedat the target body part is effective in accomplishing the clinicalpurpose intended by the operator. Thus, the proximity to the target bodypart is determined by the medical judgment of the operator. Since theLED system does not produce heat, it can be positioned extremely closeto the target body parts and other body parts without damaging thetissues. In an embodiment, the illumination assembly is capable of beingdirected at microsurgical structures without causing heat damage. Theintensity of the light available from an LED system is a feature thatinfluences how close the LED system needs to be positioned in order toaccomplish the operator's clinical purpose.

As an alternative embodiment, the LED system can be combined with otherfeatures on a medical instrument. The term medical instrument as usedherein comprises surgical instruments. For example, the LED system canbe combined with a cautery apparatus or a smoke aspirator to be used insurgery. FIG. 93B depicts one embodiment of a surgical instrument thatcombines several other pieces of apparatus with the LED system. In FIG.93B, a Bovie cautery assembly 2132 is depicted, well-known in thesurgical art. The cautery assembly 2132 includes a cautery tip 2134 anda handheld wand 2138. Imbedded in the wand 2138 in standard fashion isan array of control buttons 2140, an arrangement familiar to those inthe art. At the distal tip of the handheld wand 2138 is a LED system2144. The power and data signals to the LED system 2144 are carriedthrough a LED cable 2148 affixed to the superior aspect of the handheldwand 2138. The LED cable 2148 joins with the Bovie power cord 2152 atthe proximal end of the instrument to form a single united device cable2150. In an alternate embodiment, the LED cable can be contained withinthe Bovie wand housing 2136 in proximity to the Bovie power cord 2152.

The depicted embodiment permits the surgeon to direct LED light at aparticular structure to identify it anatomically as part of cauterydissection. The spectral capacity of the LED system 2144 is useful inidentifying blood vessels, for example. Blood vessels embedded intissues can be especially difficult to identify. The surgeon can dissectwith the a cautery tip 2134 of the illustrated embodiment whiledirecting a light from the LED that is selected to highlight vascularstructures. The tissues themselves would be distinguishable from thevascular structures based on the response of each set of structures tothe light illumination from the LED system 2144. The contrast betweentissues requiring dissection and blood vessels to be preserved would behighlighted by the light illumination from the LED system 2144. Thesurgeon, therefore, would be able to identify what structures are safeto transgress with cautery dissection. In this way, the surgeon couldpreserve blood vessels more readily, as required by the surgicalprocedure. Alternatively, the surgeon could identify blood vesselsimbedded in tissues and take precautions to coagulate or ligate themeffectively before transgressing them. The illustrated embodimentrepresents only one possible arrangement of combined surgicalinstrumentation that employs an LED system. Other arrangements can beenvisioned by those of ordinary skill in these arts. For specializedsurgical applications, specialized combinations can be required. Forexample, particular instruments are employed in neurosurgery and inmicrosurgery. The same principles illustrated in the depicted embodimentof FIG. 93B can be applied in the fabrication of surgical instrumentsappropriate for these purposes.

As an alternate embodiment, the LED system can be combined with a sensorsystem that provides signals that correlate with some characteristic ofthe body part being illuminated. As an example, FIG. 93C shows an LEDassembly 2100 affixed to a nasal endoscope 2092 being insertedtransnasally 2094 to evaluate an intranasal or a pituitary tumor 2098.The endoscope 2092 is shown in this figure entering through the naris2096 and being passed through the nasal airway 2086. The tumor 2098 ishere shown at the superior aspect of the nasal airway 2086. The LEDassembly 2100 can comprise an LED system (not shown) and a sensor system(not shown). The LED system can illuminate the intranasal andintrasellar structures with a range of colors, while the sensor systemcan provide data relating to the characteristics of the reflected light.The tumor 2098 can be identified by how it reflects the range of lightbeing used to illuminate it. The sensor system can provide informationabout the characteristics of the reflected light, permitting theoperator to identify the tumor 2098 in these remote locations. Further,such an endoscope 2092 can be combined with means familiar topractitioners in these arts for resecting or ablating a lesion.

The illumination system described herein is available for both directillumination and transillumination. Transillumination is understood torefer to the method for examining a tissue, an anatomical structure or abody organ by the passage of light through it. For example,transilluminating a structure can help determine whether it is a cysticor a solid structure. One embodiment of an illumination system canemploy LEDs to direct light of differing colors through a structure,whereby the appearance of the structure when subjected to suchtransillumination can contribute to its identification or diagnosis.Transillumination using LED light can be directed to a plurality ofstructures. In addition to soft tissues and organs, teeth can betransilluminated to evaluate their integrity. An additional embodimentcan employ a LED as an indwelling catheter in a luminal structure suchas a duct. Illuminating the structure's interior can assist the surgeonin confirming its position during surgery. For example, in certainsurgical circumstances, the position of the ureter is difficult todetermine. Transilluminating the ureter using an LED system placedwithin its lumen can help the surgeon find the ureter during thedissection and avoid traumatizing it. Such an LED system could be placedcystoscopically, for example, as a catheter in a retrograde mannerbefore commencing the open part of the operative procedure. In thisembodiment, the LED system is particularly useful: not only can thecolor of the LED be varied in order to maximize the visibility of thetransilluminated structure, but also the LED avoids the tissue-heatingproblem that accompanies traditional light sources.

Evaluation of a tissue illuminated by an embodiment of the illuminatingsystem described herein can take place through direct inspection. In analternative embodiment, evaluation can take place through examining thetissues using videocameras. In an illustrative embodiment, the tissueswould be visualized on a screen. Color adjustments on the video monitorscreen can enhance the particular effect being evaluated by theoperating team. As an alternative embodiment, the illuminating systemcan be combined with a sensor module, as partially described above,whereby the intensity of the reflected light can be measured. Asexamples, a sensor module could provide for spectroscopic, colorometricor spectrophotometric analysis of the light signals reflected from theilluminated area. Other types of sensor modules can be devised by thoseskilled in the relevant arts. A sensor module can be combined withdirect inspection for evaluating tissues. Alternatively, a sensor modulecan provide a means for remote evaluation of tissues in areas notavailable for direct inspection as a substitute for or as an adjunct tovideo visualization. Examples of such areas are well-known in thesurgical arts. Examples of such areas can include transnasal endoscopicaccess to the pituitary, endoscopic evaluation of the cerebralventricles, and intraspinal endoscopy, although other areas can beidentified by those familiar with the particular anatomic regions andrelevant methods of surgical access. In addition to the abovementionedembodiments for use in living tissues, embodiments can be devised topermit evaluation of forensic tissues or pathology specimens using theillumninating systems disclosed herein.

FIG. 93D depicts an embodiment of the illumination system wherein theLED system 2154 is mounted within a traditional surgical headlamp 2158apparatus. In the illustrated embodiment, the LED system 2154 is affixedto the headband 2160 using methods of attachment well-known topractitioners. Advantageously, however, the LED system 2154 of theillustrated embodiment can be considerably lighter in weight thantraditional headlamps. This reduces strain for the wearer and makes theheadlamp apparatus more comfortable during long procedures. As depictedherein, the LED system 2154 is connected to a power cord 2156. Indistinction to traditional headlamp apparatus, however, the power cord2156 for the LED system 2154 is lightweight and non-bulky. The powercord 2156 can therefore be deployed around the headband 2160 itself,without having to be carried above the surgeon's head in a configurationthat predisposes to torquing the headband and that collides with piecesof overhead equipment in the operating room. Furthermore, the power cordemployed by the LED system avoids the problems inherent in thefiberoptic systems currently known in the surgical arts. In thetraditional surgical headlamp as employed by practitioners in thesearts, light is delivered to the lamp through a plurality of fiberopticfilaments bundled in a cable. With the systems known presently in theart, individual fiberoptic filaments are readily fractured during normaluse, with a concomitant decrease in the intensity of the light generatedby the headlamp. By contrast, the power cord 2156 for the LED system2154 does not contain fiberoptic elements but rather contains a wirecarrying power to the LED system 2154. This provides a more durableillumination unit than those known in the present art. Furthermore, theLED system 2154 is sufficiently lightweight that it is capable of beingintegrated with the surgeon's magnifying loupes 2164.

Although the LED system in the illustrated embodiment is affixed to aheadband 2160, an alternative embodiment can permit eliminating theheadband 2160 entirely and integrating the LED system 2154 in thesurgeon's spectacles or magnifying loupes 2164. FIG. 93E depicts anembodiment of this latter arrangement. In this embodiment, an LED system2166 is shown integrated with the frame 2168 of the loupes 2164. The LEDsystem 2166 can be situated superiorly on the frame 2168 as depicted inthis figure, or it can be arranged in any spatial relation to the frame2168 that is advantageous for illuminating aspects of the surgicalfield. In this embodiment, the power cord 2162 can be positioned tofollow the templepiece 2170 of the loupes 2164.

The methods of the present invention comprise methods for diagnosing acondition of a body part. The methods for diagnosing a condition of abody part comprise selecting an area of the body part for evaluation,illuminating the area with an LED system, determining characteristics ofthe light reflected from the body part, and comparing thecharacteristics with known characteristics, wherein the knowncharacteristics relate to the condition of the body part. These methodscan be applied to normal, nonpathological conditions of a body part.Alternatively, these methods can be used to identify pathologicalconditions of the body part.

It is understood that different body parts reflect light differently,depending upon their anatomic or physiological condition. For example,when subjected to room light, an ischemic body part can be perceived tobe a purplish color, a color termed “dusky” or “cyanotic” bypractitioners in these arts. Ischemia can therefore be at timesdiagnosed by direct inspection under room light. However, a multitude ofsituations exist where the vascular status of a body part cannot beevaluated by inspection under room light. For example, ischemia can behard to see in muscles or in red organs. Further, skin ischemia isdifficult to evaluate in room light in people with dark skins. Themethods of the present invention include practices that permit thediagnosis of ischemia to be made by illuminating a body part with an LEDsystem and comparing the reflected light with known lightcharacteristics indicative of ischemia. These methods further can permitthis diagnosis to be made at an earlier stage, when room light may notreveal color changes but when LED system illumination can permit theperception of more subtle color changes. A spectrometer or another sortof sensor system can be optionally employed to evaluate the color and/orthe intensity of the light reflected from the illuminated body part. Forexample, the systems and methods of the present invention can be adaptedfor the diagnosis of early circulatory compromise following vascularprocedures. Common vascular procedures which can be complicated bycirculatory compromise include surgical vascular reconstructions orrevascularizations, surgical replantations, free tissue transfers,embolectomies, percutaneous angioplasties and related endovascularprocedures, and medical thrombolytic therapies. The systems and methodsdisclosed herein can be adapted for the evaluation of tissues within thebody by providing an LED system capable of implantation and removal andby providing a sensor system capable of implantation and removal, theformer system adapted for directing illumination at a body part withinthe body and the latter system adapted for receiving color data from thelight that is reflected or absorbed by the target body part. Systems andmethods adapted for the evaluation of internal body parts can beadvantageous in the monitoring of buried free flaps, for example. Thelack of heat generated by the LED system makes it feasible to implant itwithout subjecting the surrounding tissues to heat trauma. Practitionersskilled in the relevant arts can identify other conditions besidesischemia that can be diagnosed using the methods disclosed herein. Thefull spectrum of light available from the LED systems disclosed hereinis particularly advantageous for diagnosis of a plurality of conditions.

As a further example of the methods described herein, the LED system canbe used to illuminate the retina for ophthalmological examination.Variation in light color can facilitate ophthalmological examination,for example the diagnosis of retinal hemorrhage or the evaluation of theretinal vessels. Practitioners of these arts will be able to envisionother forms of retinopathy that are suitable for diagnosis using thesemethods. In one embodiment, an LED system can be integrated in a slitlamp apparatus for ophthalmological examination. In an additionalembodiment, the LED system can be adapted for use in ophthahnologicalsurgery. As an example, the LED system is capable of assisting in thelocalization of mature and hypernature cataracts, and is capable ofassisting in the surgical extraction of cataracts.

One practice of these methods for diagnosing a condition of a body partcan comprise administering an agent to the patient that will bedelivered to the body part, whereby the agent alters the characteristicof the light reflected from the body part. An agent is any bioactivesubstance available for administration into the patient's tissues. Anagent can include a drug, a radioisotope, a vitamin, a vital dye, amicroorganism, a cell, a protein, a chemical, or any other substanceunderstood to be bioactive. An agent can be administered by any routewhich will permit the agent to be delivered to the body part beingevaluated. Administration can include intravenous injection,intramuscular injection, intraarterial injection, ingestion, inhalation,topical application, intrathecal delivery, intraluminal or intravesicaldelivery, subcutaneous delivery or any other route. The fall spectrum oflight provided by the systems and methods disclosed herein isadvantageously employed in conjunction with certain administered agents.

An example of an agent known to alter the characteristic of lightreflected from a body part is fluoroscein, a vital dye applied topicallyfor ophthalmic purposes or injected intravenously to evaluate vascularperfusion. When illuminated by a Wood's lamp, fluoroscein glows green.Wood's lamp, though, is not adaptable to many surgical situationsbecause of its physical configuration. Fluoroscein administered toremote body parts cannot be illuminated by a Wood's lamp, nor can thefluorescence be seen in a body part too remote to inspect. Illuminatingthe tissues with an LED system after the administration of a vital dyesuch as fluoroscein can produce a characteristic pattern of reflectedlight. This reflected light can be evaluated by direct visualization, byremote visualization or by a light sensor system. Other agents will befamiliar to those of skill in these arts, whereby their administrationpermits the evaluation of a body part subjected to LED illumination.

As one example, gliomas are understood to have a different uptake ofvital dye than other brain tissues. Directing an LED system at a gliomaafter the administration of vital dye can permit more complete excisionof the tumor with preservation of surrounding normal brain tissue. Thisexcision can be performed under the operating microscope, to which canbe affixed the LED system for illuminating the brain tissues. The lackof heat generation by the LED system makes it particularly advantageousin this setting. As an additional example, the LED system can becombined with fluoroscein dye applied topically to the surface of theeye for ophthalmological evaluation. As yet another example, the LEDsystem combined with fluoroscein can permit diagnosis of ischemia inpatients whose skin pigmentation may prevent the evaluation of skinischemia using traditional methods such as Wood's lamp illumination. Asdisclosed in part above, these systems and methods can advantageously bedirected towards body parts within the human body for evaluation ofthose body parts after the administration of an agent taken up by thebody part.

The methods according to the present invention can be directed towardseffecting a change in a material. In a practice of these methods, achange in a material can be effected by providing an LED system,selecting a range of colors from the spectrum that are known to producethe change in the material being illuminated, and illuminating thematerial with the LED system for a period of time predetermined to beeffective in producing that change. The methods disclosed herein aredirected to a plurality of materials, both non-biological materials andbiological entities. A biological entity can include a living organism.A living organism can include a vertebrate. A living organism caninclude an invertebrate. A biological entity can be treated with lightexposure in order to effect a change in its structure, physiology orpsychology. For example, persons afflicted with the depressive syndrometermed seasonal affective disorder are understood to be benefitedpsychologically by exposure to illumination with light of knowncharacteristics for predetermined periods of time. The illumination canbe provided directly to the living organism, for example to the -personwith seasonal affective disorder. Alternatively, the illumination can beprovided to the environment surrounding the person. For example,illumination can be provided by a room light comprising an LED systemthat can provide light with the predetermined characteristics.

As a practice of these methods, a condition of a patient can be treated.This practice can comprise providing an LED system, selecting a set ofcolors that produce a therapeutic effect and illuminating an area of thepatient with the set of colors. A therapeutic effect is understood to beany effect that improves health or well-being. According to thispractice, a pathological condition can be treated. Alternatively, anormal condition can be treated to effect an enhanced state ofwell-being. The area being illuminated can include the external surfaceof the patient, to wit, the skin or any part of the skin. The externalsurface of the patient can be illuminated directly or via ambientillumination in the environment. These methods can be likewise appliedto internal body parts of a patient.

FIG. 94 shows a practice of these methods. This figure depicts a patient2180 afflicted with a lesion 2172 on an external surface, here shown tobe his cheek 2174. A LED system 2178 is directed to provide directillumination to the lesion 2172. Here the LED system 2178 is shownaffixed to the distal end of a positioning system 2182. Otherarrangements for positioning the LED system can be envisioned by thoseof ordinary skill in these arts. It is understood that illumination ofdermatological lesions with different spectra of light can havetherapeutic effect. For example, acne, Bowen's disease of the penis andcertain other skin cancers have responded to treatment withillumination. As another example, certain intranasal conditions areunderstood to respond to illumination therapies. In one practice ofthese methods, an agent can be administered to the patient that altersor increases the therapeutic effect of the set of colors of lightdirected towards the area being treated.

A variety of agents are familiar to practitioners in the arts relatingto phototherapy and photodynamic therapy. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) isunderstood to comprise certain procedures that include the steps ofadministering an agent to a patient and illuminating the patient with alight source. Laser light is typically involved in PDT. Since theillumination provided by the LED system can provide full spectrumlighting, including infrared, visible and ultraviolet light spectra, theLED system is available for those therapeutic applications that rely onnon-visible light wavelengths. A number of applications of topicalillumination have been described in the relevant arts. LED technologyhas the additional advantage of avoiding heat generation, so prolongedillumination can be accomplished without tissue damage.

Although the practice depicted in FIG. 94 shows an LED system 2178directed towards the skin of a patient 2180, various practices of thismethod can apply an LED system for illuminating body parts. Treatmentcan be directed towards internal or external body parts using modalitiesfamiliar to practitioners for accessing the particular body part. Asdescribed above, open surgical techniques or endoscopic techniques canbe employed to access internal body parts. For example, an intraluminaltumor can be treated using these methods as applied through an endoscopesuch as a colonoscope or a cystoscope. Alternatively, illuminationtherapy can be provided following or during a surgical procedure. Forexample, following surgical extirpation of a tumor, an agent can beadministered that is taken up by the residual microscopic tumor in thefield and the surgical field can be illuminated by an LED system tosterilize any remaining tumor nodules. These methods can be employedpalliatively for reducing tumor burden after gross excision. As anotherpractice, these methods can be directed towards metastatic lesions thatcan be accessed directly or endoscopically.

These embodiments described herein are merely illustrative. A variety ofembodiments pertaining to precision illumination can be envisioned byordinary skilled practitioners in these arts without departing from thescope of the present invention.

In other embodiments of the present invention, LEDs are used to createattractive and useful ornamental or aesthetic effects. Such applicationsinclude disposition of the LEDs in various environments, such as thosedisclosed above, including multicolor, LED-based eyeglass rims, anLED-lit screwdriver, a multi color light source for artistic lamps ordisplays, such as a multicolor LED source for a Lava(lamp, and LED-basedornamental fire or fire log with a simulated fire flicker pattern andcoloring, a light-up toothbrush or hairbrush using LEDs or otherlighting devices. LEDs may also be disposed on ceiling fan blades for tocreate unusual lighting patterns for artistic effects or display. Inparticular, pattern generation may be possible with addition of LEDs tothe blades of a fan. Also in accordance with the present invention arean LED-based ornamental simulated candle, a multicolor, LED-based lightrope, an LED battery charge indicator and an LED color sensor feedbackmechanism, through which an LED may respond to tension, temperature,pressure, cavitation, temperature, or moisture. Thus, an LED disposednear the body can serve as a skin temperature and skin moisture feedbackcolor mechanism. Also provided is an LED-based multicolor hand held wandor indicator light. In particular, wands are provided that are similarto the popular glow sticks, which are widely used in the modemdance/night clubs and for dance expression. Multicolor electronicversions allow color control features as well as remote synchronizationvia a master lighting controller, provided that the LEDs are connectedto a receiver and the master controller includes a transmitter. TheLED-based personal devices are reusable, unlike chemically based currentdevices. The master controller may also control other LED items, such asdrink coasters made of LEDs, in a controlled, synchronized manner. Suchcontrollers can be used to control an LED disco ball, in which LEDs aredisposed on the exterior or a sphere or other three-dimensional shapeand may be controlled to simulate the flashing of a conventional discoball. For example, effect simulated by the ball include ball strobe,spot movement, color changing, line lighting and plane lighting.

The present invention permits the user to control LEDs at the individualdiode level. The effects that may be produced by generating light of arange of colors within the spectrum permit a number of usefulapplications in a wide range of technological fields. Among othereffects, the controlled LEDs can produce color washes that can beinstantly varied discretely or continuously over a wide range of colorsand intensities, and that can flash or strobe with a wide range offrequencies. Applying a continuous range of color washes results in anumber of unusual effects, some of which are aesthetically appealing,functionally valuable, or both. For example, affecting the same objectwith light of different colors may yield a very different appearance, asis readily apparent when, for example, a white object is shown under aso-called “black light.” An observer viewing the object will perceive achange of color in the object being observed. Thus, a red objectilluminated with a red light appears very different from a red objectilluminated with a blue light. The former may be a vivid red, whereasthe latter may appear purple or black. When objects having colorcontrast are viewed under colored lights, quite different effects mayresult. For example, a red and white checkerboard pattern may appearcompletely red under a red light, while the checkerboard pattern isevident under a white light. By strobing red and white light in analternating time sequence over such a pattern, the white squares on thecheckerboard will seem to appear and disappear. More complex patterns,such as those in multi-color paintings, can result in remarkableeffects, such as disappearing and reappearing figures, or figures thatundergo dramatic color changes to an observer. The appearance ofmovement, color change and appearance and disappearance can result inanimation-like effects from a single still photograph, painting, design,or image, merely as a result of controlled lighting changes. Similarly,selecting appropriate light conditions can result in dramatic changes inthe relative contrast of different-colored items. Items that have littlecontrast under certain lighting conditions may be perceived to havedramatic contrast under different color conditions. Furthermore, thespectrum of the light produced according to embodiments of the presentinvention extends to infrared and ultraviolet light, allowing theincorporation of effects such as fluorescence into the display. Thelighting changes employed may be pre-programmed, or may be responsive tothe environment of the lighting system, such as to the proximity ofpeople, to the ambient lighting conditions, to the location of thedisplay, or to the time of day.

As an example, in FIG. 95 at the top, the numeral 88 is intended torepresent such a numeral that is colored with green in the top half ofthe eights (3100) and red in the bottom half of the eights (3150). Whenlit with white light, the numeral 88 so colored will appear to havegreen in the top half (3100) and red in the bottom half (3150). When litwith green light, us shown in the middle of FIG. 95, the top half of the88 (3100) still will appear green, but the bottom half (3150),originally red, will appear black. When lit with red light, as shown atthe bottom of FIG. 95, the top half of the 88 (3100), originally green,will appear black, and the bottom half (3150) will appear red. Thus, bygradually changing the color of the illumination, the different portionsof the numeral will alternately stand out and fade to black. As will beapparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, this technique can beused to create images designed to appear and disappear as the color ofthe illuminating light is altered. In addition, other color effects canbe produced. For example, shining blue light on the two halves of thenumeral would produce a blue-green color in the top half 3100 of thenumeral and a purple color in the bottom half 3150.

As a second example, FIG. 96 at the top shows a pair of interlockingcircles (left 3200, right 3205). When lit with white light, as shown atthe top, the drawing is intended to represent the following colors: theleft crescent (3210) represents green, the right crescent (3220)represents red, the overlapping area (3230) is black, and the background(3240) is white. When lit with green light, as shown in the middle ofFIG. 96, the left crescent (3210) appears green, the right crescent(3220), originally red, is now black, the overlapping area (3230)remains black, and the background (3240), originally white, appearsgreen. Thus, the left crescent (3210) can no longer be distinguishedfrom the background (3240), and the entire rightmost circle (3205) nowappears black. When lit with red light, as shown at the bottom of FIG.96, the left crescent (3210), originally green, now appears black, theright crescent (3220) appears red, the overlapping area (3230) appearsblack, and the background (3240), originally white, now appears red.Thus, the right crescent (3220) can no longer be distinguished from thebackground (3240) and the leftmost circle (3200) appears black. Bychanging the color of the illumination from green to red over time, thecircle appears to move from right to left, imparting the illusion ofmotion to an observer. A skilled artisan will appreciate that variationsupon this example will allow the creation of myriad displays thatfunction in a like manner, permitting animation effects to be producedfrom a single image or object.

The nature of the lighting system of the present invention permitsgradual changes of color from one side of a system to another.Furthermore, the color change can progress gradually along the system,effectively simulating motion of the color change. Additionally, thelight can be delivered in a constant manner, or by flashing or strobingthe lights. Flashing can also be programmed to occur with simultaneouschange of color. These abilities, which can be directed by amicroprocessor, can grant additional impetus and vitality to the effectsdescribed above.

It will also be apparent that similar effects can be obtained by passingcolored light through a transparent or translucent colored screen, suchas a stained glass window or a photographic slide, placed between thelight source and an observer.

It will also be obvious to the skilled artisan that these effects can beused in more complex displays to create eye-catching illusions of motionand phantom objects that alternately emerge from and fade into thebackground. Such effects are particularly advantageous when used inapplications such as museum exhibits, dioramas, display cases, retaildisplays, vending machines, display signs, information boards (includingtraffic information signs, silent radios, scoreboards, price boards, andadvertisement boards), advertising displays, and other situations wherethe attracting the attention of observers is desired. Because the lightgenerated according to embodiments of the present invention can includeultraviolet and infrared light, the objects can incorporate effects suchas fluorescence that are particular to illumination with such light.

A vending machine, as contemplated by the present invention, is anapparatus which dispenses products contained therein, such as a sodamachine, a snack machine, a gumball machine, a cigarette machine, acondom machine, or a novelty dispenser. Illumination provided accordingto the present invention can be used to attract the attention of anobserver in a variety of ways. For example, a hypotheticalolive-dispensing vending machine (3300) using a dove as a logo isdepicted in FIG. 97. As seen in standard white light, depicted at thetop of FIG. 97, the backing of the machine (3310) is white, the body ofthe dove (3320) is black, an upper set of wings (3330) are intended tobe green, and a lower set of wings (3340) are intended to be red. Whenthe color of the lighting in the machine is changed to red as in themiddle of FIG. 97, the lower set of wings (3340), originally red, areinvisible against the backing (3310), which now appears red. The upperset of wings (3330), originally green, appear black under red light, andso the image of the dove appears black with wings raised. When the colorof the lighting in the machine is changed to green as shown in thebottom of FIG. 97, the upper set of wings (3330), originally green, noware invisible against the backing (3310), which now appears green. Thelower set of wings (3340), originally red, now appear black in greenlight. Thus, the image of the dove appears black with wings raised. Inthis manner, the image of the dove appears to flap its wings, eventhough there is no actual motion. The illusion is created simply bychanging the color of the light. It should be recognized that much morecomplicated effects can be produced by using of objects of manydifferent colors and illuminating the objects with a wide variety ofcolors within the spectrum, ranging from infrared, to visible, toultraviolet.

The vending machine of this and related embodiments may include an LEDsystem (3370) illuminating the vending machine. The LED system may, inembodiments, include a light module 100, a smart light bulb 701, oranother embodiment of an LED system, such as those disclosed herein.Accordingly, the LED system may have one or more of the characteristicsand provide one or more of the functions of the various otherembodiments disclosed elsewhere herein. It should be noted that thelight source need not be disposed inside the vending machine, but may beplaced outside the vending machine in any position that permits thelight source to illuminate the vending machine. Those skilled in the artwill recognize many opportunities for designing displays to takeadvantage of the color-changing attributes of the lighting systems ofthe present invention.

As another technique available to the olive distributor of the aboveexample, objects or designs may be made to appear and disappear as thecolor of light is changed. If the olive distributor should name its dove‘Oliver’, this name might appear in the vending machine (3300) as shownin FIG. 98. The backing of the vending machine (3310) is white (FIG. 98,top), and displayed thereon are a dove (3350) colored red and the dove'sname, ‘Oliver’, (3360) in green lettering. When the lighting in thevending machine is changed to green (FIG. 98, center), the lettering(3360) disappears against the green background (3310), while the dove(3350) appears black. When the lighting is changed to red (FIG. 98,bottom), the dove (3350) disappears against the background, which nowalso appears red, and the lettering (3360) appears black. Thus, bychanging only the color of the light, the display in the vending machinevaries between a dove, and the dove's name. This sort of a display iseye-catching, and therefore useful for advertising purposes.

Additionally, attention-grabbing effects can be achieved independent ofa specific display tailored to take advantage of the color-changingproperties of the lighting system of the present invention. The lightsmay be positioned within or about the display such that the colorchanges of the lights themselves serve to draw attention to the display.In one embodiment, the lights are positioned behind the display, such asbehind a non-opaque backing of a vending machine, so that changing thecolor of the light is sufficient to attract attention from observers.

The above examples are intended for illustration only, and are notlimiting with respect to the scope of the present invention. Thoseskilled in the art will readily devise other ways of using the lightingsystems disclosed herein to achieve a variety of effects which attractthe attention of observers, and these effects are encompassed by thepresent invention.

The present invention permits the user to change the lightingenvironment by strobing between different colors while taking feedbackor spectrum sensor data from the surrounding environment. Such strobesmay include a variable-cycle frequency color washing strobing effectusing arrayed LEDs. The strobes may thus flash rapidly between colors,or may slowly change throughout the spectrum in a programmed order. Thestrobing effect can make otherwise unremarkable objects appear quitedistinct and aesthetically appealing. Moreover, objects such aspaintings may appear to become quite animated when periodically strobedwith different colors of light. The attractive illumination effects ofthe variable frequency strobe permit improved, dynamic lightingenvironments in areas where lighting is attractive to customers, such asin retail stores, restaurants, museums and the like. The effect may beparticularly useful in conjunction with the display of art, such as inart galleries, where known works of art may be radically changed bydifferent lighting conditions. With works of art, for example, thelighting conditions may be controlled to reproduce the light intended bythe creator, such as sunlight. Furthermore, the lighting system of thepresent invention can be used to project infrared and ultraviolet light,in addition to the more common visible wavelengths, and these uncommonfrequencies can be used to induce fluorescence and other interestingeffects.

In one embodiment of the invention, digitally-controlled, LED-basedlights according to the present invention are used to illuminate anon-opaque object for display purposes. In one aspect of the invention,the object is a container containing a fluid, both of which may besubstantially transparent. In one aspect, the container is a bottle ofgin, vodka, rum, water, soda water, soft drink, or other beverage. Anexample of such a display is depicted in FIG. 99, wherein a beveragecontainer (3500) is placed on a platform (3510) lit by an LED system(3370). Furthermore, the light source may be disposed on a coaster, toilluminate an individual drink from below. The LED system may, inembodiments, include a light module 100, a smart light bulb 701, oranother embodiment of an LED system, such as those disclosed herein.Accordingly, the LED system may have one or more of the characteristicsand provide one or more of the functions of the various otherembodiments disclosed elsewhere herein. In another aspect, the object isa tank of substantially transparent liquid, such as a fish tank oraquarium. In yet another aspect, the object is a non-opaque solidobject, such as an ice sculpture, glass figurine, crystal workpiece, orplastic statue. In another aspect, the light source is placed into aLava.RTM. Lamp to provide illumination thereof.

The present invention also permits projection of attractive effects orworks of art. In particular, in an embodiment of the present invention,a LED-based illumination source is used for projection images orpatterns. This system may utilize an LED light source with a series oflenses and/or diffusers, an object containing distinct transparent andopaque areas such as a pattern, stencil, gobo, photographic slide, LCDdisplay, micro-mirror device, or the like, and a final shaping lens.Only the light source, the patterned object, and a surface to receivethe projection are necessary for this embodiment. This embodiment, forexample, can be used to project a logo or sign onto a ceiling, floor, orwall, or onto a sidewalk outside of a business. In an alternateembodiment, the light may be projected on a cloud, a screen, or a fabricsurface. The present invention is particularly advantageous in thisregard, because it permits variation of the color of the projectioncoupled with a light source that does not generate heat.

The color strobe effect of the present invention may be used to createimproved display case lighting, such as multicolor display caselighting. The lighting may be provided as part of a modular lightingsystem or in a standalone control panel. In general, the presentlighting system may be used to alter lighting environment, such as workenvironments, museums, restaurants and the like. In certainapplications, special lighting is required, such as in museums, wherelow UV lighting or heatless lighting may be needed. In otherapplications, such as cooled display cases, or illuminating edibleobjects such as food, the heatless light sources of the presentinvention offer advantages over standard incandescent lighting, whichemits significant amounts of heat, while providing light of variablecolor. Standard fluorescent lighting, which also generates little heat,is often considered to look unappealing.

The present invention projects attractive lighting of a controlled,variable spectrum without accompanying heat, while maintaining theflexibility to change the parameters of the generated light.

LED systems of the present invention may be imbedded in articles ofclothing to permit light to be projected from the clothing (FIG. 100).The LEDs may be mounted on a flexible circuit board and covered withlatex, vinyl, plastic, cotton, etc. This embodiment includes a methodfor creating light weight flexible material suited for the constructionof clothing. Sandwich of fabrics and silicone are provided, which thenare lit by an LED. Conventional clothing using LEDs includes discreteLEDs in the form of words or patterns formed by the points of light. TheLED-based clothing of the present invention may light clothing fabricwithout protruding. The LED-based clothing of the present invention maybe controlled via a radio frequency or infrared signal by a remotecontrol or a master controller having a transmitter element. Theclothing can be made to fit the wearer in a manner that permitsdisposition of the LEDs in close proximity over the body, permitting theuser's external appearance to be modified, for example to simulate anappearance, such as nudity or a particular type of clothing. Theclothing can be paired with a sensor to allow the LED system to displaya condition of the user, such as heart rate, or the like.

The utility of such clothing can be manifested in many ways. An LEDdisplay so disposed in the clothing can be used purely for effect, togenerate dazzling patterns, visual effects, and the like. The LEDdisplays can represent real-world images, such as the surroundingenvironment, or may simply reflect surrounding conditions by changingcolor in response to external data such as temperature, lightingconditions, or pressure. These displays might also be responsive to theproximity of a similar garment, or might receive data from transmittersin the environment. In one embodiment, the display on the clothing isresponsive to pressure. Clothing of this embodiment might be worn in asporting event to provide visual evidence of illegal contact. Forexample, in the game of baseball, a batter who is struck by the ballwould have visible evidence thereof on the portion of clothing sostruck. Furthermore, the clothing could include appropriate processorsto enable recent data to be repeated on the clothing, effectivelycreating an ‘instant replay’ of the previous event. Clothing of theseand related embodiments may include the sensors required for suchresponsive requirements.

In yet another embodiment, the display on the clothing could be amedical imaging display. Data from magnetic resonance imaging, forexample, could be represented in three dimensions on the surface ofclothing worn by the patient as an aid to physicians visualizing theinformation. Similarly, such clothing could serve as a wearable videoscreen for any Application, such as television, video games, and relateddisplays. The clothing could also be programmed to display a series ofpredetermined images. For example, pictures might be taken of a personwearing a series of outfits, the person might put on LED displayclothing, the picture data might be adjusted for optimal correspondencewith the LED clothing, and then the images might be serially displayedon the clothing to simulate instantaneous changes of clothing. Imagesmay also be controlled remotely. Those skilled in the art will envisionmany related applications of this embodiment.

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferredembodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications andimprovements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled inthe art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention isto be limited only by the following claims.

1. A lighting system, comprising: at least two lighting elementsincluding a first lighting element and a second lighting element adaptedto be arranged in close proximity to each other, the first lightingelement comprising a first plurality of LEDs arranged on a first linearplatform, and the second lighting element comprising a second pluralityof LEDs arranged on a second linear platform; and a connection systemadapted to connect together at least the first lighting element and thesecond lighting element so as to form an interconnected linear array ofthe at least two lighting elements, wherein the first lighting elementincludes a first controller to output at least one first control signalto control light generated by the first plurality of LEDs; wherein thesecond lighting element includes a second controller to output at leastone second control signal to control light generated by the secondplurality of LEDs; and wherein at least one of the first controller andthe second controller is an addressable controller.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the first linear platform and thesecond linear platform is a curvilinear platform.
 3. The system of claim2, wherein the interconnected linear array of the at least two lightingelements is an interconnected curvilinear array.
 4. The system of claim1, wherein the first lighting element and the second lighting elementare configured to generate substantially a same perceivable color oflight.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein each LED of the first pluralityof LEDs and the second plurality of LEDs is substantially a same color.6. The system of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first plurality ofLEDs and the second plurality of LEDs includes at least two LEDs havingdifferent respective colors.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstlighting element and the second lighting element are configured togenerate different respective perceivable colors of light.
 8. The systemof claim 7, wherein each LED of the first plurality of LEDs is a firstcolor, and wherein each LED of the second plurality of LEDs is a secondcolor different from the first color.
 9. The system of claim 7, whereinat least one of the first plurality of LEDs and the second plurality ofLEDs includes at least two LEDs having different respective colors. 10.The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first lighting element andthe second lighting element includes a housing.
 11. The system of claim10, wherein the connection system is adapted to connect together therespective housings of the first lighting element and the secondlighting element to form the interconnected linear array.
 12. The systemof claim 10, wherein the housing is formed from a plastic material. 13.The system of claim 10, wherein the housing is formed from asubstantially transparent material.
 14. The system of claim 13, whereinthe substantially transparent material is adapted to diffuse lightpassing through the material.
 15. The system of claim 10, wherein thefirst plurality of LEDs and the second plurality of LEDs are arranged soas to illuminate the respective housings of the first lighting elementand the second lighting element.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein:the respective housings have substantially linear shapes; and the firstplurality of LEDs and the second plurality of LEDs are arranged so as toilluminate the substantially linear shapes.
 17. The system of claim 15,wherein: at least one housing has a substantially curvilinear shape; andat least one of the first plurality of LEDs and the second plurality ofLEDs is arranged so as to illuminate the substantially curvilinearshape.
 18. The system of claim 1, wherein the connection system includesmeans for coupling at least the first lighting element and the secondlighting element so as to form the interconnected linear array of the atleast two lighting elements.
 19. The system of claim 1, wherein theconnection system includes an electrical connection system.
 20. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the connection system includes a mechanicalconnection system.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the mechanicalconnection system includes means for interlocking at least the firstlighting element and the second lighting element.
 22. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the connection system is adapted to both mechanicallyand electrically connect together at least the first lighting elementand the second lighting element.
 23. The system of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the first control signal and the second control signalincludes at least one analog control signal.
 24. The system of claim 1,wherein at least one of the first control signal and the second controlsignal includes at least one pulse width modulated control signal. 25.The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first control signaland the second control signal is time varying so as to vary the lightgenerated by a corresponding plurality of LEDs.
 26. The system of claim25, wherein at least one of the first control signal and the secondcontrol signal varies an intensity of at least some of the lightgenerated by the corresponding plurality of LEDs.
 27. The system ofclaim 25, wherein at least one of the first control signal and thesecond control signal varies a temporal characteristic of the lightgenerated by the corresponding plurality of LEDs to create a dynamiclighting effect.
 28. The system of claim 25, wherein at least one of thefirst control signal and the second control signal varies a perceivablecolor of the light generated by the corresponding plurality of LEDs. 29.A cove including the lighting system of claim 1, wherein theinterconnected linear array of the at least two lighting elements isarranged to illuminate the cove.
 30. The cove of claim 29, wherein theinterconnected linear array of the at least two lighting element isarranged adjacent to the cove.
 31. The cove of claim 29, wherein: atleast the first lighting element includes a housing; and the housing isplaced adjacent to the cove.
 32. The cove of claim 29, wherein: thefirst lighting element includes a first housing and the second lightingelement includes a second housing; and the first and second housings areplaced adjacent to the cove.
 33. The cove of claim 32, wherein theconnection system is adapted to connect together the first and secondhousings to form the interconnected linear array.
 34. A buildingincluding the lighting system of claim 1, the building comprising asurface, wherein the interconnected linear array of the at least twolighting elements is mounted on the surface.
 35. The building of claim34, wherein the surface comprises an outer surface of the building, andwherein the interconnected linear array of the at least two lightingelements is mounted on the outer surface of the building.
 36. Thebuilding of claim 35, wherein the interconnected linear array of the atleast two lighting elements is arranged on the outer surface of thebuilding so as to attract the attention of an observer.
 37. The buildingof claim 36, wherein the interconnected linear array of the at least twolighting elements is arranged to outline at least a portion of aperimeter of the building.
 38. The building of claim 36, wherein theinterconnected linear array of the at least two lighting elements isarranged to comprise at least one of a trademark, a brand, a servicemark, and a logo on the outer surface of the building.
 39. The buildingof claim 36, wherein the interconnected linear array of the at least twolighting elements is arranged to comprise at least one of a graphic, aword, a symbol, a number and a character on the outer surface of thebuilding.
 40. An interior space including the system of claim 1, whereinthe interconnected linear array of at least two lighting elements isarranged so as to illuminate the interior space.
 41. The interior spaceof claim 40, wherein the interior space includes at least one of ahallway, a ceiling, a floor, a wall, a door, and a display.
 42. Alighting apparatus, comprising: a first plurality of LEDs arranged on atleast one linear platform; at least one connection element adapted tofacilitate a connection of the lighting apparatus to at least one otherlighting apparatus having a substantially linear shape, so as to form aninterconnected linear array of at least two lighting apparatus; and atleast one addressable controller for outputting at least one firstcontrol signal to control light generated by the first plurality ofLEDs.
 43. In a lighting system including at least a firstlinearly-shaped lighting element and a second linearly-shaped lightingelement, the first lighting element comprising a first plurality of LEDsand a first addressable controller that controls the first plurality ofLEDs, and the second lighting element comprising a second plurality ofLEDs and a second addressable controller that controls the secondplurality of LEDs, a method comprising an act of: (A) connectingtogether at least the first lighting element and the second lightingelement so as to form an interconnected linear array of lightingelements.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein at least one of the firstlighting element and the second lighting element is a curvilinear-shapedlighting element, and wherein the act (A) includes an act of: connectingtogether at least the first lighting element and the second lightingelement so as to form an interconnected curvilinear array of lightingelements.
 45. The method of claim 43, wherein the first lighting elementand the second lighting element are configured to generate substantiallya same perceivable color of light when energized, and wherein the methodfurther comprises an act of: energizing at least the first lightingelement and the second lighting element so as to generate the sameperceivable color of light from the interconnected linear array oflighting elements.
 46. The method of claim 43, wherein the firstlighting element and the second lighting element are configured togenerate different respective perceivable colors of light whenenergized, and wherein the method further comprises an act of:energizing at least the first lighting element and the second lightingelement so as to generate at least two different perceivable colors oflight from the interconnected linear array of lighting elements.
 47. Themethod of claim 43, wherein at least one of the first lighting elementand the second lighting element are configured to generate at least onedynamic lighting effect when energized, and wherein the method furthercomprises an act of: (B) energizing at least the first lighting elementand the second lighting element so as to generate the at least onedynamic lighting effect from the interconnected linear array of lightingelements.
 48. The method of claim 47, wherein the at least one dynamiclighting effect includes at least one variable color lighting effect,and wherein the act (B) includes an act of: energizing at least thefirst lighting element and the second lighting element so as to generatethe at least one variable color lighting effect from the interconnectedlinear array of lighting elements.
 49. The method of claim 43, whereineach of the first lighting element and the second lighting elementincludes a linearly-shaped housing, and wherein the act (A) includes anact of: connecting together the respective linearly-shaped housings ofthe first lighting element and the second lighting element to form theinterconnected linear array.
 50. The method of claim 43, wherein the act(A) includes an act of: electrically connecting together at least thefirst lighting element and the second lighting element so as to form theinterconnected linear array of lighting elements.
 51. The method ofclaim 43, wherein the act (A) includes an act of: mechanicallyconnecting together at least the first lighting element and the secondlighting element so as to form the interconnected linear array oflighting elements.
 52. The method of claim 43, wherein the act (A)includes an act of: electrically and mechanically connecting together atleast the first lighting element and the second lighting element so asto form the interconnected linear array of lighting elements.
 53. Themethod of claim 43, further comprising an act of: (B) controlling thefirst plurality of LEDs so as to generate first light that is capable ofbeing varied.
 54. The method of claim 53, wherein the act (B) includesan act of: controlling the first plurality of LEDs via at least oneanalog control signal.
 55. The method of claim 53, wherein the act (B)includes an act of: controlling the first plurality of LEDs via at leastone pulse width modulated control signal.
 56. The method of claim 53,wherein the act (B) includes an act of: controlling the first pluralityof LEDs via at least one time varying control signal so as to vary thefirst light generated by the first plurality of LEDs.
 57. The method ofclaim 53, wherein the act (B) includes an act of: controlling the firstplurality of LEDs so as to vary an intensity of the first light.
 58. Themethod of claim 53, wherein the act (B) includes an act of: controllingthe first plurality of LEDs so as to vary a temporal characteristic ofthe first light to create a dynamic lighting effect.
 59. The method ofclaim 53, wherein the act (B) includes an act of: controlling the firstplurality of LEDs so as to vary a perceivable color of the first light.60. The method of claim 53, further comprising an act of: controllingthe second plurality of LEDs so as to generate second light that iscapable of being varied.
 61. The method of claim 60, further comprisingan act of: independently controlling the first and second plurality ofLEDs so as to independently generate the first and second light.
 62. Themethod of claim 60, further comprising acts of: coupling together atleast the first and second lighting elements so as to form a lightingnetwork; and individually addressing at least the first and secondlighting elements so as to control the first and second plurality ofLEDs.
 63. The method of claim 43, further comprising an act of: (B)arranging the interconnected linear array of lighting elements so as toilluminate a cove.
 64. The method of claim 63, wherein the act (B)includes an act of: arranging the interconnected linear array oflighting elements adjacent to the cove.
 65. The method of claim 43,further comprising an act of: (B) mounting the interconnected lineararray of lighting elements on a surface of a building.
 66. The method ofclaim 65, wherein the surface comprises an outer surface of thebuilding, and wherein the act (B) includes an act of: (B1) mounting theinterconnected linear array of lighting elements on the outer surface ofthe building.
 67. The method of claim 66, wherein the act (B1) includesan act of: arranging the interconnected linear array of lightingelements on the outer surface of the building so as to attract theattention of an observer.
 68. The method of claim 66, wherein the act(B1) includes an act of: arranging the interconnected linear array oflighting elements on the outer surface of the building so as to outlineat least a portion of a perimeter of the building.
 69. The method ofclaim 66, wherein the act (B1) includes an act of: arranging theinterconnected linear array of lighting elements on the outer surface ofthe building so as to form at least one of a trademark, a brand, aservice mark, and a logo on the outer surface of the building.
 70. Themethod of claim 66, wherein the act (B1) includes an act of: arrangingthe interconnected linear array of lighting elements on the outersurface of the building so as to form at least one of a graphic, a word,a symbol, a number and a character on the outer surface of the building.71. The method of claim 43, further comprising an act of: (B) arrangingthe interconnected linear array of lighting elements so as to illuminatean interior space.
 72. The method of claim 71, wherein the interiorspace includes at least one of a hallway, a ceiling, a floor, a wall, adoor, and a display, and wherein the act (B) includes an act of:arranging the interconnected linear array of lighting elements so as toilluminate the at least one of the hallway, the ceiling, the floor, thewall, the door, and the display.
 73. The method of claim 43, furthercomprising an act of: (E) disposing the interconnected linear array oflighting elements along a substantially linear feature of an object. 74.The method of claim 73, wherein the substantially linear feature of theobject includes a curvilinear feature of the object, and wherein the act(E) includes an act of: disposing the interconnected linear array alongthe curvilinear feature of the object.
 75. The method of claim 73,further comprising an act of: (F) energizing the interconnected lineararray so as to provide a light output along the substantially linearfeature of the object.
 76. The method of claim 43, further comprising anact of: (E) energizing the interconnected linear array of lightingelements along a substantially linear feature of an object so as toprovide a light output along the substantially linear feature of theobject.
 77. The method of claim 76, wherein the substantially linearfeature of the object includes a curvilinear feature of the object, andwherein the act (E) includes an act of: energizing the interconnectedlinear array along the curvilinear feature of the object so as toprovide the light output along the curvilinear feature of the object.78. The method of claim 76, wherein each LED of the first plurality ofLEDs and the second plurality of LEDs is adapted to generate asubstantially same perceivable color of light, and wherein the act (E)includes an act of: energizing the interconnected linear array so as toprovide the light output along the substantially linear feature of theobject with the substantially same perceivable color of light.
 79. Themethod of claim 76, wherein at least two LEDs of each of the firstplurality of LEDs and the second plurality of LEDs are adapted togenerate different respective perceivable colors of light, and whereinthe act (E) includes an act of: energizing the interconnected lineararray so as to provide the light output along the substantially linearfeature of the object with a substantially same perceivable color oflight based on a mixing of the different respective perceivable colorsof light generated by the at least two LEDs.
 80. The method of claim 76,wherein at least two LEDs of the first plurality of LEDs and the secondplurality of LEDs are adapted to generate different respectiveperceivable colors of light, and wherein the act (E) includes an act of:energizing the interconnected linear array so as to provide the lightoutput along the substantially linear feature of the object with thedifferent respective perceivable colors of light.
 81. The method ofclaim 76, wherein the interconnected linear array is configured togenerate at least one dynamic lighting effect when energized, andwherein the act (E) includes an act of: (E1) energizing theinterconnected linear array so as to generate the at least one dynamiclighting effect along the substantially linear feature of the object.82. The method of claim 81, wherein the at least one dynamic lightingeffect includes at least one variable color lighting effect, and whereinthe act (E1) includes an act of: energizing the interconnected lineararray so as to generate the at least one variable color lighting effectalong the substantially linear feature of the object.
 83. The method ofclaim 43, further comprising an act of: (E) disposing the interconnectedlinear array along a substantially linear architectural feature of aspace.
 84. The method of claim 83, wherein the linear architecturalfeature of the space includes a curvilinear architectural feature of thespace, and wherein the act (E) includes an act of: disposing theinterconnected linear array along the curvilinear architectural featureof the space.
 85. The method of claim 83, wherein the space is anexterior space, and wherein the act (E) includes an act of: disposingthe interconnected linear array along the substantially lineararchitectural feature of the exterior space.
 86. The method of claim 83,wherein the space is an interior space, and wherein the act (E) includesan act of: disposing the interconnected linear array along thesubstantially linear architectural feature of the interior space. 87.The method of claim 83, further comprising an act of: energizing theinterconnected linear array so as to provide a light output along thesubstantially linear architectural feature of the space.
 88. The methodof claim 43, further comprising an act of: (E) energizing theinterconnected linear array along a substantially linear architecturalfeature of a space so as to provide a light output along thesubstantially linear architectural feature of the space.
 89. The methodof claim 88, wherein the substantially linear architectural feature ofthe space includes a curvilinear architectural feature of the space, andwherein the act (E) includes an act of: energizing the interconnectedlinear array so as to provide the light output along the curvilineararchitectural feature of the space.
 90. The lighting system of claim 1,wherein the addressable controller is configured such that at least oneof the first and second control signals is based at least in part oninformation received from a network connection to which the addressablecontroller is coupled.
 91. The lighting system of claim 90, wherein theinformation is received in a DMX protocol.
 92. The lighting system ofclaim 90, wherein the information is received in an Ethernet protocol.93. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein: the addressable controlleris associated with at least one address; and the at least one addressuniquely identifies at least some of the first plurality of LEDs or thesecond plurality of LEDs.
 94. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the atleast one addressable controller is configured such that the at leastone first control signal is based at least in part on informationreceived from a network connection to which the at least one addressablecontroller is coupled.
 95. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein theinformation is received in a DMX protocol.
 96. The apparatus of claim94, wherein the information is received in an Ethernet protocol.
 97. Theapparatus of claim 42, wherein: the at least one addressable controlleris associated with at least one address; and the at least one addressuniquely identifies at least some of the first plurality of LEDs.